Airlines across the country are moving quickly to assist travelers left without flights after Spirit Airlines ceased operations overnight, collapsing after failing to secure a federal bailout.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined a series of steps aimed at helping affected passengers rebook travel on other carriers at reduced or capped fares.

“We’ve activated our airline partners to ensure passengers are not stranded, communities maintain route access, fares do not skyrocket, and Spirit’s workforce is connected to new job opportunities,” Duffy said.

Passengers holding Spirit tickets can present proof of purchase to access discounted fares on several major airlines, including JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, and United, though each carrier is offering the relief for a limited window.

JetBlue’s discounted fares will be available for 72 hours. Southwest is offering a similar 72-hour option, but bookings must be made in person at airport counters. Delta’s program will run for five days, while United is extending its offer for up to two weeks.

Allegiant Air, which serves many smaller markets, said it will hold prices steady on overlapping routes and is offering 50 percent off base fares through May 10.

Airlines are also helping displaced crew members, offering “spare jump seats” to Spirit pilots and flight attendants who are stranded away from home.

Duffy also pointed to earlier federal decisions as a contributing factor in Spirit’s collapse, criticizing the Biden administration for blocking a merger between Spirit and JetBlue in 2024. He noted that President Donald Trump had recently suggested the possibility of the government stepping in to purchase the struggling airline. However, Duffy pushed back on the idea of a bailout.

“What we don’t want to do is put good money after bad,” he said.

Spirit’s president and CEO, Dave Davis, pointed to rising fuel costs as the key factor behind the shutdown.

“Everybody burning cash—we just had a smaller pile to start with,” he told the Wall Street Journal. “They’re not that far behind us in the race.”

In a statement posted to X early Saturday morning, the airline informed customers that while it could not assist with rebooking, refunds would be issued automatically for credit card purchases.

“while we are not able to help rebook your flight on another airline, we will automatically process refunds” the company said. “We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry for the last 33 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come.”

The airline confirmed that its final flight, number 1833, traveled from Detroit to Dallas, landing shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Spirit, which operated for 34 years, becomes the first U.S. airline to collapse due to financial pressures in a quarter century.

The company had been struggling for some time, filing for bankruptcy protection twice, most recently in August, following an earlier Chapter 11 filing in November of the previous year.

As part of the wind-down process, the airline is expected to sell off its remaining aircraft, parts, and other assets in the months ahead. Its 11-acre headquarters campus near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, along with additional real estate holdings, will also be sold to repay creditors.

{Matzav.com}