Spirit adds 8 new routes, boosts service from rivals' fortress hubs
Spirit Airlines is once again adding a slew of new routes that double down on the airline's recent strategy of boosting service in entrenched hubs of network carriers.
This time, the Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier is launching eight new routes for the peak summer season, all of which touch either Dallas-Fort Worth or Detroit. Spirit spokesperson Tommy Fletcher confirmed the new routes directly with TPG.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the largest hub for American Airlines, and it hasn't historically had any head-to-head competition on the five routes that Spirit is adding. Meanwhile, Spirit will add three routes from Detroit, which is also a Delta Air Lines hub.
You'll find the full table of the new routes below, but highlights include another expansion in Kansas City, where the airline plans to grow from four to eight routes in just a matter of hours.
(Of the eight new routes announced Tuesday, the two to Kansas City are the only ones that are technically resumptions for Spirit, Cirium schedules show. Spirit used to fly from Detroit to Kansas City as recently as 2021 and from Dallas/Fort Worth to Kansas City in 2015.)
| Origin | Destination | Flights available | Launch date |
|---|---|---|---|
Dallas-Fort Worth | Columbus, Ohio | Four times weekly | July 10 |
Dallas-Fort Worth | Kansas City | Four times weekly | July 10 |
Dallas-Fort Worth | Memphis | Three times weekly | July 11 |
Dallas-Fort Worth | Milwaukee | Three times weekly | July 11 |
Dallas-Fort Worth | San Antonio | Two times daily | July 10 |
Detroit | Charleston, South Carolina | Four times weekly | July 10 |
Detroit | Kansas City | Three times weekly | July 11 |
Detroit | Nashville | Daily | July 10 |
Earlier this month, Spirit announced that it would add two new routes to the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) from Boston and Newark. This expansion in MCI comes on the heels of JetBlue Airways announcing that it would pull out of the airport. At its peak during 2022, JetBlue flew from MCI to Boston and New York.
Another interesting addition is Spirit's new 247-mile service from Dallas to San Antonio. This route will operate twice daily and compete head-to-head with the more than 12 daily flights that American Airlines offers on average.
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While Spirit might not be able to attract the local market with just two daily flights, the airline has repeatedly said that it's trying to boost its portfolio of one-stop connecting itineraries for travelers.
The airline already operates a base at DFW, so adding new San Antonio service (albeit on a twice-daily basis) might be timed to maximize the number of connections Spirit can offer beyond DFW.
All of these new flights commence just in time for the peak summer season, and it'll be interesting to see how many are still around when leisure travelers hibernate again for the winter.
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If the airline can successfully convince travelers to book connections, perhaps these flights will indeed make it to the next season. After all, these days, the carrier is looking for a business recovery wherever it can find it.
All of this growth comes despite the airline being fleet-constrained in recent months. Spirit confirmed that it's not cutting any flights to make room for these new routes.
"We look forward to giving our Guests affordable options to discover more destinations this July with our new, nonstop routes to and from Dallas (DFW) and Detroit (DTW),” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit, in a statement. “We know our Guests enjoy saving on their flights, and we’re happy to add these low-fare, high-value flight options for travelers to plan a summer getaway."
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.