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Spirit Airlines furloughs 1,800 flight attendants
Spirit Airlines will furlough roughly one-third of its cabin crew starting December 1, 2025, as the carrier navigates a second bankruptcy filing in 2025.
In a move that will reshape schedules and staffing, Spirit Airlines said it plans to furlough about 1,800 flight attendants — roughly one-third of its cabin crew — beginning December 1, 2025. The airline also announced plans to reduce its flight schedule by about 25% and offer voluntary leaves beginning in November 2025 to align staff levels with a smaller network. Spirit framed the steps as part of a restructuring after filing for bankruptcy protection for the second time this year.
Union leaders immediately warned these actions could be the first of more cuts as contract talks and cost-savings demands continue. Spirit is pursuing broader cost relief from pilot groups and is seeking around $100 million in annual pilot cost reductions as part of its refinancing and restructuring plan. Despite the cuts, the carrier says customer operations and its loyalty program will remain supported by bankruptcy financing during the process.
What Spirit Airlines furloughs mean for crews and routes
The reductions will change capacity at several U.S. airports where Spirit has been a presence; competitors such as Frontier Airlines have already signaled plans to grow into some markets Spirit shrinks. For travelers, that can mean fewer daily flights and thinner route options on Spirit in the near term. For staff, the timeline is clear: voluntary leaves start in November 2025 and involuntary furloughs take effect on December 1, 2025, unless deals are reached beforehand.
- Key takeaway: Spirit Airlines furloughs include ~1,800 flight attendants and a 25% flight cut starting December 1, 2025.
Spirit’s leadership says these measures are aimed at stabilizing cash flow and matching the airline’s cost base to a smaller schedule while it negotiates restructuring terms with creditors. Local managers and unions will provide details on recall rights, severance, and benefits timelines as the bankruptcy case progresses. Travelers should watch their booking channels for schedule changes and keep an eye on competing carriers adding capacity in affected markets.
