by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Mon May 4, 2026
The impact of Spirit Airlines’ historic cessation of business operations this past weekend is continuing to ripple throughout the travel industry, with major airlines offering relief to airline workers and travelers impacted, and now with major airline workers’ unions advocating for support.
Spirit Airlines employed approximately 17,000 individuals. Many of them were blindsided by the airline’s abrupt closure this past weekend.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) represents about 5,500 Spirit Airlines flight attendants across the country. It sent a letter this weekend to Transportation Secretary Duffy and Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, encouraging the government to ensure the flight attendants are protected after being let go so quickly.
“The Administration has stated its commitment to ‘build a stronger America by investing in our greatest asset: the American worker,’” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “This is a clear moment to act on that commitment by supporting workers who were a part of delivering extraordinary transportation accessibility to everyday Americans and ensure those workers have the ability to transition to a new job without grave personal loss.”
In the letter, Nelson requests that the bankruptcy court’s liquidation of the airline prioritizes the “full and timely payment of worker’s earned compensation and benefits,” maintain flight attendants’ healthcare through 2026 in the absence of COBRA access, provide a temporary $600 weekly supplement in unemployment benefits for six months, coordinate with U.S. airlines to help hire displaced flight attendants and extend Flexible Spending Account usage periods and emergency childcare subsidies.
The president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), which represents around 2,000 Spirit Airlines pilots, issued this statement this past weekend: "The pain of this decision will not be felt in boardrooms,” said president Capt. Jason Ambrosi. “It will be felt by pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and ground crews, and by the families and communities that depend on them.
“ALPA fought at the highest levels of government to ensure that workers were the first priority in any resolution. We made clear that the human cost of liquidation was real, serious, and preventable,” Capt. Ambrosi continued. “ALPA will not stop fighting for the pilots impacted by this closure. We will pursue every tool available to protect their jobs, their contracts, and their futures, and we will continue to help them navigate what comes next.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents around 350 of Spirit’s ramp employees, also issued a statement, reiterating the need for long-term support for Spirit’s abandoned employees.
“Today’s news is devastating for the thousands of airline workers who showed up every day and gave everything to keep Spirit Airlines in the air,” the IAM statement reads. “Our members on the ramp did not cause this failure; corporate mismanagement and poor financial stewardship did. Our members deserve answers and support.
“The IAM will not abandon our members in this moment. We are activating IAM Employee Assistance Program representatives to be available to IAM-represented ramp service employees at Spirit Airlines. Our EAP representatives stand ready to provide confidential support and resources to help our members and their families navigate this difficult transition.
“We call on Spirit’s leadership and the bankruptcy court to ensure that every worker receives the full severance, back pay, and benefits they are owed. Workers should not be the last in line when a company fails. The IAM will be watching closely and will hold all responsible parties accountable.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Secretary Duffy posted a list of resources for impacted travelers and employees, noting that most U.S. airlines are providing travel pass benefits and spare jump seats to employees needing a way home, along with “preferential employment interviews,” yet provided no other information for employees.
In his official statement on the closure of Spirit Airlines, Duffy blamed former President Joe Biden and his transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, for blocking the 2024 merger between Spirit Airlines and JetBlue.
Spirit Airlines, however, explained that its closure is due to the high increase in jet fuel costs associated with the weekslong U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
“In March 2026, we reached an agreement with our bondholders on a restructuring plan that would have allowed us to emerge as a go-forward business. However, the sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks ultimately has left us with no alternative but to pursue an orderly wind-down of the company,” Spirit President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Davis said. “Sustaining the business required hundreds of millions of additional dollars of liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not procure. This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted.”
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