Spirit Airlines Wind-Down 2026: What Happened & How to Get Refunds
⚠️ Spirit Airlines has ceased operations
On May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of all operations. All flights have been cancelled and customer service is no longer available. Do not go to the airport expecting a Spirit flight — your ticket is void. See the refund section below for what to do next.
Spirit Airlines — the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in the US — stopped flying on May 2, 2026, after 33 years of operation. If you had a Spirit booking, here is exactly what happened, how to pursue a refund through the bankruptcy claims process, and which airlines to fly instead. (This page was previously a Spirit baggage fee guide; the fee data below is preserved for reference but no longer applies to active flights.)
Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees at a Glance
| Item | Fee (Online) | At Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Item | Free | Free |
| Carry-On Bag | $38–$55 | $65 |
| 1st Checked Bag | $33–$49 | $55 |
| 2nd Checked Bag | $53–$69 | $75 |
| Oversized/Overweight | $50–$150 | $50–$150 |
* Fees vary by route and purchase timing. Online prices are lowest when bundled at booking.
Personal Item Policy
Like all airlines, Spirit allows one free personal item. The maximum dimensions are 18″ × 14″ × 8″ (45 × 35 × 20 cm) — slightly smaller than some competitors. A standard backpack or small duffel bag usually fits, but Spirit is known for using thePersonal Item Sizer bin at the gate. If your bag does not fit, you will be charged a carry-on fee plus a gate handling fee.
✈️ Pro Tip
Buy a stretchy backpack rather than a rigid-frame one. Spirit's sizer bin is rigid, so a soft-sided bag that can be compressed is more likely to pass the fit check.
Carry-On Bag Fees
Unlike legacy carriers, Spirit charges for carry-on bags that go in the overhead bin. The fee ranges from $38 to $55 when purchased online during booking, and jumps to $65 at the gate. Carry-on dimensions are 22″ × 18″ × 10″.
The best strategy: if you need more than a personal item, compare the cost of a carry-on vs. a checked bag. On Spirit, checked bags are often cheaper than carry-ons — especially for longer trips where you would check a bag anyway.
Checked Bag Fees
First checked bag on Spirit ranges from $33 to $49 when purchased online during booking. The second checked bag costs$53 to $69. All fees increase if you wait to add bags after booking or at the airport.
Maximum weight per checked bag is 40 lbs (18 kg) — significantly less than the standard 50 lbs on legacy airlines. Overweight bags (40–100 lbs) incur additional fees of $50–$100.
One of the most common surprises for Spirit passengers is that a carry-on bag + a checked bag can cost more than $80 each way if purchased at the airport. Always add bags during the initial booking process for the lowest rates. See Spirit's current fees on our comparison page →
Oversized & Overweight Fees
Bags exceeding 62 linear inches (length + width + height) or 40 lbs incur additional fees starting at $50. Special items like sports equipment, musical instruments, and strollers follow a separate fee schedule:
- Golf clubs: $50–$75
- Ski/snowboard equipment: $50–$75
- Car seats and strollers: Free (checked)
- Musical instruments: Carry-on if fits size limits, otherwise $50+
What Happens to Your Spirit Booking?
- All flights cancelled: Every Spirit flight is void as of May 2, 2026. Do not go to the airport — there is no Spirit operation there.
- Customer service is gone: Spirit's call center and email are shut down. You cannot get a refund through normal channels.
- Chargebacks: If you paid by credit card for a cancelled flight, contact your card issuer immediately — most will process a chargeback for services not provided.
- Bankruptcy claims: File a claim with the court-appointed claims agent for prepaid, unused tickets. See contact details below.
How to File a Spirit Refund Claim
Spirit's wind-down is being administered through the Chapter 11 claims process. The court-appointed claims agent is EPIQ:
- Claims portal: dm.epiq11.com/SpiritAirlines
- Email: SpiritAirlinesInfo@epiqglobal.com
- Phone: (855) 952-6606
Note: refunds in a liquidation are not guaranteed and may be partial. Your credit card chargeback is likely the faster route. Travel insurance with trip-cancellation coverage may also cover the loss.
Where to Fly Instead
The other US ultra-low-cost carriers are still flying. If you booked Spirit for the price, these are the closest alternatives — and their bag fees are already in our comparison:
The Bottom Line
Spirit Airlines flew its last flight on May 2, 2026. If you held a booking, pursue a credit card chargeback first, then file a claim with EPIQ. For future trips, the remaining budget carriers — Frontier, Allegiant, Breeze, and Avelo — are your closest options, and their real-time bag fees are in our comparison table →