United Airlines is offering price-capped tickets to Spirit customers who have had their flights canceled following Saturday’s announcement that the budget airline has shut down.
“If you had a ticket booked on Spirit and your flight was canceled, for the next two weeks you can visit united.com/specialfares to find price-capped, one-way tickets from most cities where Spirit flew, including Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, New Orleans and Orlando,” United said in a statement.
It said most of these special fares are capped at $199, with longer flights priced no higher than $299.
It advised travelers to visit united.com/specialfares and share their Spirit confirmation number, proof of purchase for travel between May 2 and May 16, and their United MileagePlus number (sign up to United MileagePlus is instant and free).
In a message to stranded Spirit employees, United said: “We’re extending pass travel benefits on United to you for the next two weeks to help you get home safely, and you can book in the ID90 portal.”
ID90 is a booking platform for airline employees for travel on other airlines at discounted rates. In addition, Spirit employees were encouraged to apply for open roles at United.
American has similarly capped fares on routes it overlapped with Spirit. Customers can book via its website or app. It’s also helping rescue stranded Spirit employees and encouraging them to apply for jobs at American.
Budget airlines JetBlue and Frontier also offered to help Spirit customers with canceled tickets.
In a statement in linked to on X, JetBlue said: “If your travel plans have been impacted by the suspension of Spirit Airlines’ operations, JetBlue is here to help you find alternative options.
“To assist stranded customers with imminent travel to and from cities we serve, we’re offering $99 one-way fares for travelers with proof of a valid Spirit itinerary for the same route for travel through May 6, 2026. If you’re stranded, call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss your situation.”
Frontier posted on X, ahead of news of the closure: “We are ready to support customers who may be impacted if Spirit Airlines ceases operations, with a focus on helping people continue their travel plans with low-fare options.”
Spirit customers who booked with credit or debit cards shouldn’t be out of pocket. In its advice to customers, Spirit said: “While we are not able to help rebook your flight on another airline, we will automatically process refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card to the original form of payment.”
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