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Spirit Airlines will withdraw from five US cities and one international destination in early 2026. This marks the latest round of network reductions as the ultra-low-cost carrier continues to navigate bankruptcy restructuring.
The airline confirmed it will end service to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), and Colombia’s Palonegro International Airport (BGA) in January 2026. The cuts will take effect between January 8th and January 18th (eliminating nine routes in total).
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium and an internal memo shows Spirit will end the following routes:
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to/from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) to/from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to/from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to/from Colombia’s Palonegro International Airport (BGA)
The decision will cut about 1% of Spirit’s total seat capacity with some routes continuing to be served by competitors such as Delta, American, Frontier, and Southwest.
The network cuts come as Spirit works through its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in under a year, following a turbulent period marked by rising costs, high fuel prices, and weak margins. Since August 2025, Spirit has exited 18 destinations across its domestic and international network, including both small regional airports and larger metro markets like Minneapolis.
As part of its restructuring plan, Spirit has sought court approval to return more than half of its Airbus A320 fleet to leasing companies. The airline expects to operate a smaller, more efficient network in 2026.
Spirit’s new strategy centers on reinforcing operations in its core hubs, particularly Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The carrier plans to refine its low-cost model by focusing on higher-yield markets while gradually repositioning itself toward a “value-seeking” segment of travelers. The airline also continues to explore potential merger opportunities, which signals its intent to remain a player in the evolving US airline landscape.
Anthony’s Take: The reductions mark another step in Spirit’s effort to stabilize financially and restore profitability. As the airline restructures, its focus will shift to consolidating strength in key markets, trimming underperforming routes, and redefining its place within an increasingly competitive US aviation industry.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
