Spirit Airlines kicks off 2022 with 3 routes to a brand-new US city
Spirit Airlines is building on its strong network growth throughout the pandemic with another new pin — and state — for its route map.
The Miramar, Florida-based airline announced on Tuesday that it'll land its yellow Airbus jets in Salt Lake City (SLC) for the first time ever on May 26. The airline will fly three routes from the Salt Lake City International Airport, which includes daily service to Los Angeles (LAX) and Orlando (MCO), as well as twice-daily service to Las Vegas (LAS).
The new service marks Spirit's first time serving the state of Utah, which it hopes will drive traffic from travelers looking for an outdoor-focused adventure and from flyers based in the state's capital looking for a warm-weather getaway out of the state.
"We listen to our guests, and they told us they wanted more exciting Western destinations to experience the great outdoors," John Kirby, Spirit's vice president of network planning, said in a statement. "We're also excited to introduce our high-value travel proposition for our new Utah guests," he added.
Spirit's entrance is also a milestone moment for the SLC airport, as it'll become the first domestic carrier to launch service there since the grand opening of the new terminal in September 2020. The new SLC airport is a massive improvement compared to the one it replaced, with modernized finishes, tall ceilings and upgraded concessions, restrooms and waiting areas.
Perhaps most interestingly, Spirit is advertising a pilot hiring event in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8. Pilot shortages have commanded headlines in recent months, leading to network pullbacks and flight cancellations for a number of U.S. airlines. It appears Spirit hasn't been immune to the issue, as the airline is promoting its new hiring event in the press release.
Salt Lake City isn't just big news for Spirit's ever-growing route map; it's also going to pit the carrier head-to-head against Delta, which is the largest airline at SLC thanks to its hub there.
Delta already operates all three routes that Spirit is starting, and if history is any indication (take a look at Milwaukee, Louisville and St. Louis), Spirit could grow quickly in the market.
Of course, much of Delta's Salt Lake City traffic is connecting, but Spirit hopes to give Delta a run for its money on an O&D (origin and destination) basis. Additionally, Spirit will compete against American, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue and Southwest on the routes that it's adding.
Either way, the airline is likely banking on its ultra-low-cost business model to undercut the competition and drive traffic.
It's not the only time during the past year that Spirit has expanded to a fortress hub of a major rival. The carrier did just that in October 2021, when it added the first of a whopping 31 routes from Miami (MIA) — a major hub for American Airlines, where it's by far the biggest player. But Spirit is now the second-largest carrier in the city, increasingly going head-to-head with American.
While Miami was the highlight of Spirit's 2021 expansion, the airline also landed in seven other new cities last year, including Louisville (SDF), Milwaukee (MKE), Pensacola (PNS), St. Louis (STL), Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Manchester (MHT) and Palmerola International Airport (XPL) in Honduras.
Now, the airline is kicking off 2022 with a western splash, and it'll be very interesting to follow where else the airline lands this year.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees