Spirit (SPA) > Shutdown

 SHUTDOWN INFORMATION

Effective May 2, at 3 a.m. ET, Spirit Airlines has ceased all operations. This page is your primary source of information regarding the shutdown, including getting home, accessing career resources, and the support programs that are available to you right now. The site will be continuously updated. 

GETTING HOME

If you are currently away from base on a trip or training event: Do not self-arrange travel home at your own expense. The Company is committed to returning you to base or home, at company expense. Scheduling is going to be calling pilots directly with further directions.

Please continue to check Company communication channels and spa.alpa.org for further updates on operational guidance.


  • Please keep your phone on and watch for a call from Crew Scheduling.
  • When Scheduling reaches you, they will ask whether you prefer an OA deadhead back to your base or to another U.S. airport. If they are unable to reach you, they will automatically book you back to your base.
  • Scheduling will book your return travel as close to your report time as possible, but not earlier.
  • Scheduling will send your deadhead flight information to your Spirit email, so please check it frequently over the next several hours.

CASS IS CURRENTLY INACTIVE.

If you non-revved for personal travel and are away from home: Stand by for further operational guidance. We are working to confirm what accommodations are available to you. Please also continue to check Company communication channels and spa.alpa.org for updates. Do not assume you are on your own.

For your safety, please do not travel to the airport in your Spirit uniform. Please do not call Crew Scheduling as they are focusing entirely on making outbound calls to reach you. If you miss the call for some reason, please be patient until they process everyone’s travel plans and begin accepting inbound calls.

JUMPSEAT INFO

CASS became INACTIVE as of 11 p.m. ET on May 2nd, ending cockpit jumpseat access.

This following list will be updated as additional confirmations come in. Download the ALPA mobile app for real-time jumpseat and travel updates. 


The following carriers have confirmed cabin jumpseat availability for Spirit pilots, effective immediately:

  • United: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
  • JetBlue: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
  • Alaska: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
  • Delta: 10 days of cabin jumpseat access currently confirmed (through May 12)
  • American, United, Delta, and Alaska regional carriers: In accordance with their major partner's policy.
  • Sun Country: 7 days of cabin jumpseat access (through 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 9, 2026).
  • Breeze: 30 days of cabin jumpseating access (through June 2)
  • Southwest: Existing Nonrevenue Space Available (NRSA) privileges extended for 14 days (through May 16), with the following conditions:
    • Confirm that Spirit Airlines employees (including pilots) are in possession of an unexpired Spirit Airlines employee badge and government-issued identification.
    • If access to myIDtravel has been terminated, advise the Spirit employee to call (877) 528-6535 to make an NRSA listing (phone lines will be available until Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT).
    • Once a Spirit Airlines employee has an NRSA listing, they can be cleared into the cabin only.

PAY & BENEFITS

Download your records NOW. Log in to Company systems as soon as possible and download your most recent pay statements, pay stubs, W-2s, and any other personal employment records. Save copies to a personal device or email account you control.

You can view the Company Transition Guide and details regarding your status, pay, benefits and detailed Q&A at https://spiritrestructuring.com/team-members. This site will continue to be updated as information becomes available.

Ensure Your Email Is Up To Date

Your Spirit email will be deactivated by 11 p.m. ET tonight, May 2. Please log into UKG as soon as possible today and ensure your personal email address is up to date. If you have a Spirit-issued mobile device or laptop, please see these guidelines to ensure you can access any photos or other personal information you may have saved on your devices.

Outstanding Expenses

Please enter any outstanding expenses in Concur as soon as possible today to ensure they are paid out appropriately.

FROM THE CHAIR

SPA Chairman's Message - Airline Shutdown

May 2, 2026
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you under these devastating circumstances. We were informed very early this morning that the Company has ceased operations effective at 3 a.m. ET. This is not the outcome any of us wanted, invested in, or worked toward.

SPA Chairman's Message - Shutdown Update #2

May 2, 2026
Shutdown Resources Website is Live, CASS active until 11 p.m. ET, Jumpseat Update, Membership, PPS…

SPA Chairman's Message - Shutdown Update #3

May 3, 2026
401(k) + COBRA FAQ Coming Soon, Jumpseat Agreements, WARN Act Notices, Filing for Unemployment, PPS

WARN ACT

On May 2, ALPA received WARN Act notices from Spirit Airlines stating that it “will be” conducting a reduction in force affecting employees ALPA represents at the following locations:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

 3200 E Airfield Dr, Dallas, TX 75261

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

2500 World Gateway Place, Detroit, MI 48242

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

10 Toler Pl, Newark, NJ 07114

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

100 Terminal Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

2800 N Terminal Rd, Houston, TX 77032

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

9400 Ditmars Blvd · East Elmhurst, NY 11369

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

5757 Wayne Newton Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827

Miami International Airport (MIA)

42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142

Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD)

10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666

MCO Infight & Operations Center (OOC)

10084 AirTran Blvd Orlando, FL 32827

Spirit Support Center

1731 Radiant Drive Dania Beach, FL 33004

The WARN notice contained a list of pilots currently employed by Spirit and also stated:

This layoff will begin on May 2, 2026, or the 14-day period commencing on that date. The layoff will be permanent, and the Company’s operations at the locations will permanently cease. We regret that we are not able to give you more notice of your layoff. We were not able to do so because the Company was actively seeking capital to avoid these layoffs and closures and notice would have precluded the Company from obtaining the capital needed. 

Pilots have raised issues of severance pay that may be available under the federal WARN Act and various state laws. We have referred those issues to our bankruptcy counsel for review and will advise when we have more information.

ALPA MEMBERSHIP

Verify that your ALPA membership is in good standing now. Visit alpa.org/members, email Membership@alpa.org, or contact Membership Administration Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, at 888-FLY-ALPA (888-359-2572) and press 3.

If you or a fellow pilot can't access your ALPA account, use these direct links:

Forgot your ALPA Member Number?

Need to reset your ALPA Password or fix other login issues?

For ALPA membership purposes, SPA ALPA members who have not secured jobs at another ALPA carrier have been granted Inactive Participant (IP) status. 

Since the airline has stated that it has ceased operations, ALPA has concluded that there is no pilot seniority list to maintain for recalls (as would be seen at airlines which intend to reorganize) and therefore our pilots cannot be considered to be furloughed.

The “IP” Membership classification usually has a $75 annual membership fee for one year following the shutdown, but ALPA is waiving that for our pilot group. After the year, you may keep your IP status by paying $75 annually. The big benefit of retaining IP status is that it allows inactive members to continue to buy ALPA insurance if they need it.

Even though you are officially considered IPs for membership purposes and not furloughed members, you can also still access ALPA programs administered by the Furloughed Pilots Support Program . This includes preparing your personal finances, how to continue healthcare coverage after a shutdown, Pilot Peer Support, and furlough mentors.

AEROMEDICAL SUPPORT

The Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS) is ALPA's consulting service for U.S. pilots, available at no cost to you. All AMAS physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in aerospace medicine, with most holding additional medical specialty certifications.

If you encounter medical certificate issues, or have any questions, visit  alpa.org/aeromedical, or call 303-341-4435.