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Spirit Airlines adds 3 routes, new city in latest pandemic-era shakeup

Feb. 24, 2021
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3 min read
Spirit Airlines Airbus A319
Spirit Airlines adds 3 routes, new city in latest pandemic-era shakeup
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Spirit Airlines isn't taking a breath.

On Wednesday, the Miramar, Florida-based carrier announced another set of new routes, coming just a day after a second big pandemic-era network expansion for the airline.

Beginning on June 24, Spirit is adding a new pin to its route-map, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE), with three new daily flights to Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX) and Orlando (MCO).

Spirit will bring its competitive, unbundled fares to two markets that are already saturated with low-cost-carrier service. Cirium schedules show that both Frontier and Southwest Airlines fly between Milwaukee and both Las Vegas and Orlando.

There were 575 daily passengers paying an average of $143 headed between MKE and Orlando in 2019, according to Department of Transporation data. Southwest carried nearly 60% of the flyers in the market, so Spirit's clearly betting that it can win some budget-conscious travelers with its $69 introductory fares.

As for Los Angeles, Spirit is slated to become the only carrier to fly the 1,756-mile route between MKE and LAX. Southwest last operated the route in April 2020, before suspending it indefinitely due to the pandemic.

In a recorded interview, John Kirby, Sprit’s vice president of network planning, said that the new Milwaukee flights were a long time coming. Despite some competition, "we're excited to be adding three of the most popular destinations from Milwaukee. If we're successful, we'll add even more. But we think we're going to do really well with this service," Kirby added.

The three new flights are available for purchase immediately. Note that 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.

Spirit's Milwaukee announcement comes just one day after the carrier unveiled another brand-new destination, Louisville, Kentucky (SDF).

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Launching on 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.

Related: Everything to know before flying Spirit Airlines

The success of both the Milwaukee and Louisville flights will be bolstered not just by the origin and destination traffic traveling on the new routes, according to Kirby. Spirit's touting its range of one-stop connecting options for outbound travelers headed to other destinations across the country and the Caribbean.

Spirit's move to boost flights to its hubs — or "bases" as it calls them — comes as the major network carriers have been experimenting with a point-to-point network model in recent months.

For instance, late last year, United launched 17 new seasonal Florida routes from cities like Boston and Cleveland, bypassing its eight domestic hubs. JetBlue also made a similar move in September, when it added 24 new routes that push beyond the carrier's traditional focus cities.

Regardless of the underlying strategy, adding new routes during the pandemic has become the "new normal." Airlines are looking to capture as much demand as they can from pandemic-weary travelers looking for a leisure-oriented escape.

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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  • 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.
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