Spirit Airlines will attack around 270 pilots, demoting 140 captains this fall, and demoting 140 captains as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and restore profitability. A company spokesperson confirmed that the Demotion was set up on October 1st, and that the Demotion would move as it came out from November 1st.
This marks the third round of pilot workforce reductions over the past year, following similar cuts in September 2024 and January 2025. The airline said the latest staffing changes were designed to match reduced flight schedules.
“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that it operates as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability,” Spirit said in a statement. “We recognize the weight of this decision and are committed to treating all the team members affected during this process with compassion and respect.”
Airlines have not commented on reports suggesting they are surprised towards offering more premium services from their ultra-low-cost business models. Over the past year, Spirit has introduced enhanced fare options and expanded its “big front seats” offerings. This includes priority boarding and additional legroom with additional fees. We have also rebranded the upgraded seat options (“Go Big” and “Go Comfy”) as “Spirit First” and “Premium Economy”, adding high-speed Wi-Fi with more seating, reserved bin space, free snacks and drinks (including alcohol), and streaming access.
Headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, Spirit faces major financial turbulence following a failed $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue Airways. A federal judge blocked the merger under antitrust laws in January 2024. The following month, Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing nearly $9 billion in debt. It emerged from bankruptcy in March 2025, reducing the route network, providing a more sophisticated cost structure, eliminating $795 million in debt.
The airline resumed trading on the NYSE American Exchange under Flyy in April. As of Tuesday afternoon, the stock was down 2%, trading at $4.39. Spirit is expected to release its latest quarterly revenue later this week.
