Spirit Airlines is one of the most recognizable airlines in the US, serving over 80 destinations across the Americas with its bright yellow aircraft and ultra-low-cost business model.
Source: Spirit Airlines
"We can go head-to-head with the legacies in more places to lower fares and improve service for everyone," he said in a Thursday press release.
However, legislators, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have said in the past that the deal could increase fares and worsen customer service.
Source: New York Times
The lawmakers have asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Justice Department to closely review the merger and to oppose any union if it violates antitrust laws or goes against public interest.
Source: New York Times
If the deal does go through, JetBlue said it plans to scrap Spirit's brand by retrofitting all of the budget carrier's planes into JetBlue's product. This would leave Frontier as the US' only large ultra-low-cost airline.
Source: Insider
Analysts say that Frontier being a standalone airline will actually be a good thing because its low-cost competition will put pressure on JetBlue to keep fares low.
Spirit was not originally founded as an airline but started as Clippert Trucking Company in 1964. In 1974, the company was refounded as Ground Air Transport Inc. by Michigan-native Ned Homfeld.
Source: Spirit Airlines Association of Flight Attendants AFA-CWA
Homfeld eventually founded the first passenger version of Spirit in 1980 — Detroit-based Charter One Airlines. The charter tour company officially launched operations in 1983 using turboprop aircraft.
Source: Spirit Airlines Association of Flight Attendants AFA-CWA
Charter One's operation in the Bahamas is notable because it means Spirit has always offered passenger service beyond the US.
Source: Simple Flying
In 1990, a decade after its founding, Charter One launched scheduled air service from Boston, Detroit, and Providence to Atlantic City, marking the start of the company's commercial operations.
Source: Spirit Airlines Association of Flight Attendants AFA-CWA
Charter One leased two Convair 580 turboprops for the service. It would operate the planes for only a couple of years before rebranding to Spirit Airlines.
Source: Spirit Airlines Association of Flight Attendants AFA-CWA
Spirit's early fleet also consisted of McDonnell Douglas MD80 aircraft. According to Plane Spotters, 44 DC-9 and MD80 planes were delivered through the 1990s and early 2000s, with the last MD80 leaving the company in July 2010.
Source: PlaneSpotters, International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
In its early years, Spirit was referred to by Travel Agent Magazine as the "most successful small carrier you've never heard of," flying over a quarter-million people in 1993 and bringing in $21 million in revenue.
Source: International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
While the company was growing, it was starting to face tougher competition. So, it started to seek out a "big brother" to help it along the way, and Delta's regional carrier Comair wanted to buy Spirit for $20 million.
Source: AvGeekery, International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
In June of that year, Spirit took over defunct carrier Sun Jet's routes from New Jersey to Florida after it declared bankruptcy. Sun Jet and Spirit had been flying chartered tours on behalf of reservation company World Technology Systems.
Source: Crain's Detroit, International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31, AB Pic
That year, Spirit saw a revenue of $121 million, had 20 aircraft in its fleet, and posted the industry's highest load factor that year with 76.4% full. Moreover, it carried 1.4 million passengers, increasing its customer traffic by 80% compared to 1997.
Source: International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
Spirit got a new home in 1999 when it moved its corporate headquarters from Eastpointe, Michigan to Miramar, Florida. The airline had been courted by a number of other cities before making its decision, including Detroit and Atlantic City.
Source: Tribune Business News, International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
Miramar made sense because it was in the Fort Lauderdale area where Spirit's tour company was already based, and the airline had been serving Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport since 1993.
Source: Sun-Sentinel, International Directory of Company Histories Volume 31
Despite the hiccup, Spirit continued to expand throughout the 2000s. It added San Juan, Puerto Rico to its scheduled service in 2001. Meanwhile, Boston, Grand Cayman, and San Francisco were added in 2006.
Source: Aviacionline, Massport, Cayman Compass, San Francisco International Airport
In 2002, Spirit began growing its Airbus A320 fleet, which is the only aircraft family in its fleet today. The first livery was greyscale...
Source: Aviation Week, Norebbo
...the second was the blue paint scheme...
Source: USA Today
...and the third, which is the most recognized today, is the all-yellow "Bare Fare" livery, introduced in 2014.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
In 2005, Spirit brought on its new CEO and President Ben Baldanza who transitioned the airline to the US' first ultra-low-cost carrier.
Source: Simple Flying
In 2007, the airline rebranded its business class, Spirit Plus, with the Big Front Seat, which passengers could secure for an extra fee.
Source: Spirit Airlines, SeatMaestro
In June 2010, Spirit pilots went on strike for six days amid poor wages and benefits, causing hundreds of flight disruptions. At the time, Spirit Airbus crews were some of the lowest-paid pilots in the US.
Source: The New York Times
Also that year, Spirit became the first airline to charge for carry-on bags. The move reduced its operating costs because it lowered the aircraft's fuel consumption. It also sped up the boarding process and ensured there was enough overhead bin space.
Source: ABC News
In 2011, the carrier began charging for boarding passes printed at the airport ticket counter and reduced its maximum checked baggage weight from 50 to 40 pounds.
Source: CNN
While it kept costs low, Spirit's no-frills business strategy has been controversial throughout its history. In 2011, the DOT fined the airline $50,000 for deceptive advertising, claiming it did not include hidden fees, like bags, added to its discounted fares.
Source: Consumer Reports
After threats to boycott, Baldanza apologized to the vet and personally issued the $197 refund, saying "sometimes we make mistakes." The company also donated $5,000 to the Wounded Warriors Project in Meekins' name.
Source: HuffPost
Despite its history of controversy and complaints, Spirit continues to be a successful airline. "Spirit is consistently incredibly profitable," said Madhu Unnikrishnan, editor of Skift Airline Weekly.
Source: Marker Medium
According to Unnikrishnan, Spirit was never really concerned about the passenger experience. When a customer emailed Baldanza about a bad flight experience, the CEO responded, "Let him tell the world how bad we are. He's never flown us before anyway and will be back when we save him a penny."
Source: Marker Medium
In 2008, Spirit was the number one airline for customer complaints but still managed to fly five million passengers and achieve a net profit during the recession, making it one of the few carriers to do so.
Source: Department of Transportation
In 2014, Spirit was the top pick airline for growth for investors, and in 2016, Spirit was the first US carrier to receive the A320neo into its fleet.
Source: The Motley Fool, Airbus
In November 2017, Spirit's on-time performance ranked second behind Delta. This was a major improvement after coming in dead last among 13 US airlines in 2015.
Source: Skift
In 2019, Spirit introduced its new President and CEO, Ted Christie. During the same year, the airline was operating 600 daily flights to 72 destinations across the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Like every airline, Spirit was hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, posting a 2020 net loss of $428 million. Nevertheless, Spirit continued to fight back in 2021, expanding operations with new city pairs and new airports.
Source: Statista
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