The shutdown of Spirit marks end of a major low-cost carrier and raises questions about budget air travel in future

Weekend Editor

Published

May 2, 2026 1:30PM (EDT)

The bag drop and customer service counters at the departures terminal for Spirit airlines sit empty as operations ceased for the company at Logan Airport in Boston. Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines said on Saturday that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an "orderly wind-down of operations," citing spiking fuel prices in recent weeks as a key factor. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / Getty Images)