Spirit Airlines Furloughs 1,800 Flight Attendants Amid Bankruptcy Struggles

MIRAMAR- Spirit Airlines (NK), the ultra low cost carrier based near Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL), plans to furlough about 1,800 flight attendants to trim costs during its second bankruptcy filing this year.

This action affects roughly one-third of its cabin crew and supports broader efforts to shrink the fleet and stabilize operations.

The airline’s chief operating officer, John Bendoraitis, outlined these tough choices in a memo to staff, emphasizing adjustments to the network, fleet, and workforce for long-term viability.

Reported by CNBC, the strategy follows CEO Dave Davis’s recent warnings of impending job reductions as Spirit navigates financial strain.

Representative Photo: ATP Flight School

Spirit Airlines Furloughs 1,800 Flight Attendants

Spirit Airlines (NK) faces mounting pressures from its August 2025 Chapter 11 filing, the second in less than 12 months after emerging from the first in March 2025 with $795 million in debt relief.

The carrier now targets $100 million in savings from labor costs, starting with flight attendants to match reduced flight volumes.

Executives project a 25% drop in November 2025 capacity compared to the prior year, focusing routes on high-performing markets like those from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL).

This restructuring builds on voluntary measures already in place. About 800 flight attendants currently hold unpaid leaves of absence, which preserves medical benefits and delays forced cuts.

However, Bendoraitis noted that voluntary participation has hit its limit, prompting the shift to structured furloughs.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA confirms that eligible crew can opt for 6 or 12 month voluntary terms, retaining healthcare coverage during this period.

Involuntary furloughs activate on December 1, 2025, though the exact tally depends on voluntary uptake. AFA actively coordinates with unions at other carriers to secure preferential interviews for displaced members, easing transitions in a competitive job market.

Spirit Airlines has not issued further comments on the plan, but internal memos stress daily negotiations to minimize disruptions.

Photo: jfk spotting | Instagram

Pilot Negotiations and Labor Impacts

Spirit Airlines (NK) extends cost controls to pilots, furloughing hundreds and seeking $100 million in concessions from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

Bendoraitis informed the union last week of management’s commitment to daily talks aiming for a consensual deal by October 1, 2025. Yet, bankruptcy provisions allow the airline to bypass labor contracts if needed, potentially accelerating changes.

Starting October 1, 2025, around 270 pilots face furloughs, with 140 captains demoted to first officers by November 1. These steps tie directly to fleet reductions, including aircraft sales and route cancellations, as the carrier combats negative cash flow and weak domestic leisure demand.

AFA leaders warn members that this bankruptcy demands heightened vigilance, contrasting the milder first filing.

Overall, these moves reshape Spirit’s operations, prioritizing efficiency over expansion. The airline maintains service to over 80 destinations across the US, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, but with fewer flights and staff.

Analysts view the actions as essential for survival in an oversupplied market, where low fares squeeze margins for budget operators like Spirit Airlines.

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