Yes, you can still fly Spirit after it filed for bankruptcy

On Nov. 18, Spirit Airlines, the biggest budget airline in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy. Its bankruptcy follows the company’s struggles since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and a failed merger with JetBlue.

Some people with Spirit tickets are now wondering if they’ll still be able to fly on the airline. People in Reddit communities for travel and Spirit Airlines have asked if their flights will now be canceled.

THE QUESTION

Can you still fly on Spirit Airlines after it filed for bankruptcy?

THE SOURCES

• Spirit Airlines
• U.S. Courts

THE ANSWER

Yes, you can still fly on Spirit Airlines after it filed for bankruptcy.

WHAT WE FOUND

Spirit Airlines filed for a form of bankruptcy that allows it to continue operating its business. That means Spirit doesn’t have to cancel its flights and customers’ tickets are still valid.

“Spirit expects to continue operating its business in the normal course throughout this prearranged, streamlined chapter 11 process,” Spirit said in a press release regarding the bankruptcy. “Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and can use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal.”

The company added that the bankruptcy filing will not impact employee wages or benefits.

A chapter 11 bankruptcy, the form of bankruptcy Spirit filed for, provides for a reorganization of the business to keep itself alive and pay off its debt over time, according to the U.S. Courts. 

This is the same kind of bankruptcy Red Lobster filed for earlier in 2024. While Red Lobster closed underperforming locations as part of its bankruptcy process, many of the chain’s restaurants remained open during the process and are still open today.

The kind of bankruptcy in which a business has to sell its assets and close is called a chapter 7 bankruptcy, the U.S. Courts say. The U.S. Courts suggest chapter 11 as an alternative to chapter 7 if a business prefers to remain open and avoid liquidation.

Spirit is continuing to sell tickets for its flights following the bankruptcy filing.