We know that Spirit Airlines is in a really tough spot financially, as the company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in a year, and the carrier is really hanging on by a thread. In addition to whatever financial issues the airline has, it’s also having serious problems with operating reliably, and things have gotten worse with the new year. What’s going on here, exactly?
In this post:
Spirit Airlines keeps canceling & delaying flights
If you look at FlightAware’s flight delay cancelation and delay dashboard, you’ll notice that only one airline in the United States really seems to be struggling with operational reliability so far in 2026. Specifically, Spirit has been canceling and delaying a concerning number of flights:
- On Thursday, January 1, 2026, Spirit canceled 11% of flights and delayed 38% of flights
- On Friday, January 2, 2026, Spirit canceled 14% of flights and delayed 33% of flights
- On Saturday, January 3, 2026 (today, as of 6:30AM ET), Spirit canceled 9% of flights and delayed 3% of flights
Saturday is just getting started, so I suspect this will get significantly worse as the day goes on. While I wouldn’t quite call this a crisis or a meltdown, it’s still a pattern of serious issues with operational reliability. The airline also hasn’t actually provided an explanation publicly for why the schedule has struggled so much, so the communication hasn’t been great.
Record sick calls to blame for operational issues
Yesterday evening, the airline did issue an internal memo about what’s going on. The company’s Chief Operating Officer explains the following to employees:
As of 5 p.m. we moved the airline to ADP Level 3, which means we are in a significant IROP driven by Crew-availability cancellations as a result of record sick calls.
How did we get here?
Unless you haven’t been working for the last couple of weeks, you know we have had a very challenging holiday period beginning way back on December 19. The typical weather and ATC issues related to holiday volume have been exacerbated by fully depleted reserve levels. Our reserve levels are virtually the same as they have been since 2023, but during this holiday our sick calls have exceeded previous periods by nearly 250% on some days. The result was 55 cancels yesterday and more than 60 today, leaving thousands of Guests stranded.What happens now?
We need to get the airline back on its feet immediately. Everyone who isn’t sick has been working very hard and around the clock, your efforts are commendable. Some of you have been extended multiple times and have continued to give us your best, thank you.We have seen the reports of various viruses going around. For those who are ill, I am sorry and I hope you feel better soon. It’s no fun to be sick, especially during the holidays. For those who are well or have beaten their illness, we need you. ALL OF YOU! We have a lot of available crew open time for both Pilots and Flight Attendants. We need to fill that open time now and stop the cancellations.
Spirit Needs You
I am proud of Spirit and even more proud of this team. The outside speculation and rumors from third parties about our demise are damaging, distracting and frankly infuriate me. That said, we are in no position to be able to sustain a significant IROP, so we need to end it now.I know you are tired, frustrated and likely worried about the future, and I get that. You are not alone. Being here for more than 12 years, I also know how much you all really care about each other, our airline and our Guests. Help prove those naysayers wrong about Spirit’s demise. Let’s all pull together to bring us back to normal ops as soon as possible! I know I can count on you to help and thank you in advance.
While it’s not explained, keep in mind that the airline is losing employees at a very fast pace. For example, the airline was supposed to furlough around 10% of pilots in early 2026, but canceled those furloughs, because so many pilots are leaving voluntarily. So I imagine when you combine a lot of sick employees with a lot of attrition, it makes for a very bad combination.
Despite Spirit shrinking, it seems that the airline has gone from overstaffed to understaffed very quickly. It also seems that maybe many employees just aren’t that invested in making the company run anymore. I mean, can you blame them, when they’ve just taken pay cuts, and there are rumors every day that a liquidation is imminent?
So we’ll mark this as “developing,” but seeing around 50% of flights each day either delayed or canceled, and seeing a cancelation rate of over 10%, is not so great.
Bottom line
Spirit Airlines is struggling to operate even its greatly scaled back network reliably, as the airline has seen delays or cancelations for nearly 50% of its flights on the first two days of 2026 (with 11-14% of total flights canceled).
This primarily comes down to employees calling in sick, as it seems the airline has gone from being overstaffed to understaffed very quickly. Given all of Spirit’s other issues, this is hardly what the company needs right now, but I also can’t say I’m surprised.
What do you make of Spirit’s issues with operating reliably?
The flu this year is brutal, knocked me out for a week. I work from home and couldn't even come close to working. No surprise it's hitting the airline industry hard. I actually take this at face value.
same. the first two weeks of december were AWFUL for me.
Spirit’s pilot contract doesn’t pay anyone who is leaving for another job or being furloughed for their remaining sick leave. Those pilots are choosing to take the leave prior to leaving. If management would change that the sick calls would drop to almost zero. But they might have to give up some of their multi-million dollar bonuses.
Pro tip… this is what happens when you declare bankruptcy and provide executives “retention bonus” while simultaneously demanding contract concessions.
What's your over/under Spirit ceases operations by the end of January?
I’ve only flown spirit once and I’m doing a last minute trip (1hr flight) where I’m paying for some friends tickets and spirit was $39 vs $122 for any mainline and we just need a backpack, so I went with them. Fingers crossed they can keep it together until the 24th. And then hopefully they can keep it going beyond that to help keep all airlines fares competitive.
That's right Frozen. Hopefully they can keep it going beyond that,
to help keep all airlines fares competitive.
Spirit has unemployed “furrowed” flight attendants sitting around looking for a job. Why not bring some back and guarantee them at least 20 hours a month at their former pay rate. It’s a win-win. My wife said she’d love to go back to work even if it’s only part time.
Lest We Forget …. U.S. Conflicts since WWll
Korean War — 1950–1953
Lebanon Crisis — 1958
Bay of Pigs Invasion (Cuba) — 1961
Vietnam War — 1955–1975 (major U.S. combat: 1965–1973)
Dominican Republic Intervention — 1965–1966
Cambodian Campaign — 1970
Laotian Civil War (U.S. involvement) — 1959–1975
Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt (Operation Eagle Claw) — 1980
Lebanon Civil War (U.S. involvement) — 1982–1984
Invasion of Grenada...
Lest We Forget …. U.S. Conflicts since WWll
Korean War — 1950–1953
Lebanon Crisis — 1958
Bay of Pigs Invasion (Cuba) — 1961
Vietnam War — 1955–1975 (major U.S. combat: 1965–1973)
Dominican Republic Intervention — 1965–1966
Cambodian Campaign — 1970
Laotian Civil War (U.S. involvement) — 1959–1975
Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt (Operation Eagle Claw) — 1980
Lebanon Civil War (U.S. involvement) — 1982–1984
Invasion of Grenada — 1983
Bombing of Libya — 1986
Tanker War / Persian Gulf Escort Operations — 1987–1988
Invasion of Panama — 1989–1990
Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) — 1990–1991
Somalia Intervention — 1992–1995
Haiti Intervention — 1994–1995
Bosnia War (NATO/U.S. involvement) — 1995
Kosovo War (NATO/U.S. involvement) — 1999
War in Afghanistan — 2001–2021
Philippines Counterterrorism Operations — 2002–2015
Iraq War — 2003–2011
War against ISIS (Iraq & Syria) — 2014–present
Libya Intervention (NATO) — 2011
Yemen Counterterrorism Operations — 2002–present
Pakistan Drone Campaign — 2004–2018
Syria U.S. Military Operations — 2014–present
Red Sea / Yemen (Houthi conflict, U.S. strikes) — 2023–present
Support for Ukraine (non-combat, military aid) — 2022–present
Venezuela - 2026 -
Please feel free to add to the list if I have forgotten something ….
WOW! Then what next to expect?
Of course, people have to make everything political. Little children that want to be heard. Back to the topic at hand. I would imagine crew are using up accumulated sick leave around the holidays fearing if, and probably when, the airline goes out of business those days will be lost. And possibly staffing with flight dispatch and operations.
Because nearly anything dealing with people and resources is inherently political…
BREAKING NEWS Massive global impact to Aviation with the US taking Venezuela! This is far more serious than spirit inconsequential airlines with 1 star SkyTrax!
Apparently, you slept in, Jess. And you’re being hyperbolic. Yes, flights disrupted in Caribbean. Flights elsewhere are just fine.
So Trump has decided to invade a sovereign nation and stated the US will run it until a safe transition. Waiting to hear Putin’s response.
Yes! Trump is acting much like Putin and Xi.
The difference being ….. ?
It was a illegitimate repressive regime that has murdered its people, destabilized its neighbors, and stolen elections. Dont make it seem as if this is the Bahamas or DR.
I must say that’s a very well written memo, but truly heartbreaking. NK has some of the kindest FAs in the US, I hate to think of them out of work. IROPS like this are costly and beyond the immediate loss of revenue and expense of rebookings, further damage the company’s reputation. I fear this may be the proverbial straw versus camel. :(
I appreciate at least that there were no accusations of faking it (even if he's thinkin' it)
Agreed, and in fairness what’s going around is a nasty bug. Had me down for a solid 5 days and my husband for about 10 over Christmas, so those that aren’t faking are the ones I don’t want to see on board!
This weekend may not be the best days to look at operational reliability for US airlines which have extensively cancelled flights to/from the Eastern Caribbean due to US military activity.
That might not be the only reason but given the sheer number of flights and how crew and aircraft schedules are intertwined, I am not sure near as many people are focused on cancelled flights as they are on major military activity.
Lots of...
This weekend may not be the best days to look at operational reliability for US airlines which have extensively cancelled flights to/from the Eastern Caribbean due to US military activity.
That might not be the only reason but given the sheer number of flights and how crew and aircraft schedules are intertwined, I am not sure near as many people are focused on cancelled flights as they are on major military activity.
Lots of people might be late getting back to work from their vacations on Monday morning.
Which is why it's wise to build-in a buffer, get travel insurance, and go-with-the-flow sometimes. Besides, better to be stuck in Aruba for an extra day, than back in 'feels like 10 degrees F.'
In later Jan 2026, Spirit will be broken up and portions will be akwired by three existing airlines: F9, B6, AA.
Atb, fares will not drop due to kompetition but due to weakening domestik & forin travel demand esp from middle and upper middle klasses. I daily see the "struggles" of 100K+ workers. ez budget kuts are auto and travel.
Woah, what is up with your spelling…‘akwired’ is that a combo of ‘acquired’ and ‘awkward’?
It's an awkward acquisition.
Better question this morning: What’s going on in Venezuela? Yikes.
“Yes!
Another fine mess you have created for America Donald”
Sorry, ole chap. So, am I supposed to ‘cry harder’ or ‘touch grass’ or both at the same time? All the grass has turned brown. It’s becoming a challenge to know what to do. (Teehee.)
The American people have my most sincere sympathy 1990.
I had a good cry. Feeling better. Now, may we please do the same to Putin as Maduro? I may have to become a raging jingoist, just for that.
VZ was a mess under Chavez and Maduro. You may want to go back 20 years and ask why other Presidents didnt deal with the situation besides just making statements and virtue signaling. You are the same person that will call him Taco when he doesnt act.
Appears key employees need time off to interview with other companies. The old rats and sinking ships analogy.
+1
I understand what you’re getting at, but… I somehow doubt there are a lot of interviews occurring on a holiday week. Sure, the 31st and 2nd were normal working weekdays for most companies, mine included, but as a hiring manager I would never schedule interviews the day before or after a major holiday. That is especially true in the case of FAs or Pilots where they’d have to travel to and from the interview.
Extra...
I understand what you’re getting at, but… I somehow doubt there are a lot of interviews occurring on a holiday week. Sure, the 31st and 2nd were normal working weekdays for most companies, mine included, but as a hiring manager I would never schedule interviews the day before or after a major holiday. That is especially true in the case of FAs or Pilots where they’d have to travel to and from the interview.
Extra sick calls for interviews? Absolutely. This week? Probably not.