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Spirit Airlines unveils 4 new routes to a brand-new destination

Feb. 23, 2021
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3 min read
Spirit Airlines A320 A321 Zach Griff - 1
Spirit Airlines unveils 4 new routes to a brand-new destination
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Spirit Airlines just became the latest carrier to add a slew of new routes, despite the pandemic.

The Miramar, Florida-based carrier will add a brand-new dot to its route map — Louisville, Kentucky — with four daily routes launching May 27.

Spirit will fly to Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) from three of its largest cities, Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Las Vegas (LAS) and Orlando (MCO). The carrier will also launch the nation's only nonstop flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and the largest city in Kentucky.

In explaining the move to open a station in Louisville, Sprit's vice president of network planning explained that "one of the great things about flying to Louisville is that it isn't just a point of origin. People want to visit Louisville as well. We expect customers to both go in and come out."

For passengers based in Louisville, Spirit is touting its robust network of one-stop itineraries. Through Fort Lauderdale, flyers can get to nearly 30 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America. Travelers heading westbound can transit through Las Vegas to visit places like Portland and Seattle.

Spirit's four new flights are available for purchase immediately. Introductory fares start at roughly $50 each way. Spirit's "Bare Fare" doesn't include a full-sized carry-on, checked bags or seat assignment. All ancillary services are available for an additional upcharge.

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Spirit's going head-to-head against two of its ultra-low-cost competitors, Allegiant and Frontier, on all the new flights, except for the LAX service. Additionally, Southwest currently flies from Louisville to both Orlando and Las Vegas, so expect some stiff competition in those markets.

Related: Everything to know before flying Spirit Airlines

As for LAX, Spirit will likely have pricing power. American Airlines was the last carrier to fly the LAX-SDF route in April 2020, but that's since been suspended due to the pandemic. Department of Transporation data analyzed by Cirium shows that AA was able to command roughly $238 per ticket during the 2019 calendar year.

The Fort Worth-based carrier flew, on average, 48 passengers a day between the two cities. In total, 124 daily travelers flew the route in 2019. If those numbers remain — or grow — in a mid-pandemic world, then Spirit's LAX flight might turn a profit.

Spirit's new routes come nearly a month after the carrier unveiled a brand-new and more rewarding Free Spirit loyalty program. TPG recently put Spirit to the test against Delta on a round-trip itinerary between New York and Florida.

Adding new domestic routes, despite the pandemic, has been a move every major U.S. airline has recently made. Carriers are looking to boost revenues with flights to outdoor-friendly destinations. American recently announced a slew of new flights to warm-weather destinations and national parks.

Allegiant, one of Spirit's chief competitors, added three new cities in a 13-route expansion that included places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Key West, Florida.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.