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Spirit Airlines continues to roll out new routes, with Austin up next

Edward Russell
Edward Russell
Contributor
Edward Russell is a contributor for TPG. An AvGeek at heart, he covered the airline business at FlightGlobal for eight years and previously covered finance in New York and Hong Kong.
Oct. 09, 2019
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3 min read
Spirit Airlines A321 BWI-FLL
Spirit Airlines continues to roll out new routes, with Austin up next
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Spirit Airlines is on a new route roll, with three more planned from Austin next year that come just days after two more from San Juan were unveiled.

The ultra-low-cost-carrier will add flights between Austin (AUS) and Cancun (CUN) on Feb. 26, and Nashville (BNA) and Newark Liberty (EWR) on March 26, Spirit said Wednesday. The Cancun route will operate four days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and the Nashville and Newark routes will operate daily.

In addition to the new routes, Spirit will add four frequencies between Austin and Orlando (MCO) for 11 weekly flights, it said.

Spirit operates Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Related: Spirit Airlines to Begin Service From Nashville With Six New Routes

The new flights continue Spirit's strategy to add routes where it sees an opportunity to stimulate the market with its low fares. While the airline continues to add new markets, including Nashville that launches Thursday, it also connects dots on its map with routes like those from Austin and the two from San Juan (SJU) announced on Friday.

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One route where Spirit is tapping a new opportunity is between Austin and Newark. Southwest Airlines ends flights in the market when it exits Newark on Nov. 3, leaving just United Airlines flying the route, according to Diio by Cirium schedules.

Spirit will compete with Southwest to both Cancun and Nashville, the schedules show.

Related: Spirit Airlines unveils new seats that it says will make for happier passengers

TPG reporter Edward Russell tests out Spirit Airlines' new tray tables as the carrier unveiled its new seats in Los Angeles on Sept. 9, 2010. (Photo by Patrick Fallon/The Points Guy)
TPG reporter Edward Russell tests out Spirit Airlines' new tray tables as the carrier unveiled its new seats in Los Angeles on Sept. 9 (Photo by Patrick Fallon/The Points Guy)

In addition to connecting points on its map, Spirit is focused on improving the customer experience. This drive includes everything from improved on-time performance, new seats and inflight Wi-Fi. A new onboard cabin and frequent flier program are in development.

"Last year I signed a pledge to look at every facet of our guest experience and determine where we could improve," said Ted Christie, CEO of Spirit, at the APEX conference in September. "This investment in our seats and onboard experience is a direct result of that commitment, and it also allows us to enhance our product value."