Spirit Airlines adds 4 new routes but suspends 3 others
Spirit Airlines continues to tweak its network to chase more demand.
The Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier quietly added four new routes and suspended three others as part of its most recent schedule adjustment, as first seen in Cirium Diio data and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Spirit's new routes include three daily flights:
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) — Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- BWI — Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) — O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
All three flights will commence Aug. 14. The Baltimore routes will operate once a day, while the new 235-mile shuttle route from Detroit to Chicago will operate twice a day.
Additionally, Spirit will add a five-times-weekly service between Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) beginning Sept. 5.
Three of Spirit's new routes will compete with Southwest Airlines, which already operates both Baltimore routes and the one from Nashville to New Orleans.
Furthermore, the airline is going head-to-head with the "Big Three" U.S. airlines (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines), which already provide ample service on the Detroit-to-Chicago route.
While Spirit has long opted for more leisure-focused markets, the airline has been bleeding money since the coronavirus pandemic. To boost profitability, the airline is diversifying its network into more established markets in larger cities.
Opportunities like Detroit to Chicago will also help the carrier add more connecting options, a key priority for Spirit's network planners.
Just this year, Spirit has made countless adjustments to its network. While that's typical of ultra-low-cost carriers, Spirit is doing what it can to chase new demand.
Along with the network changes, the airline is also trying to rid itself of its image as the ultimate nickel-and-dimer. As part of that, Spirit has announced a slew of customer-focused improvements, including the elimination of change fees, increased baggage limits and more flexible travel vouchers.
Map watching: The award for 'sexiest new route' of the year goes to ...
Whether that translates into more bookings is anyone's guess, but United CEO Scott Kirby has already concluded that these budget carriers are "going out of business," as shared on a recent episode of "The Air Show" podcast.
Along with the new routes, Spirit is also suspending three others:
- BWI — San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- ORD — Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
The airline confirmed that these are seasonal cuts, but we'll have to monitor them to see if they return next year.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.