Spirit Airlines has issued recall notices to approximately 500 pilots furloughed between September 1, 2024, and November 1, 2025, as it prepares to emerge from its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The notices were sent on March 9, 2026, with pilots who accept required to return to duty per their collective bargaining agreement, targeting bases in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, or New York-LaGuardia by early April.
This action addresses higher-than-forecast pilot attrition, which has strained staffing alignment with the airline’s reduced schedule. A company memo states, “Pilot attrition has been higher than forecast, making precise alignment between staffing and the reduced schedule more challenging.” The recalls will not support the spring break-Easter period but bolster post-bankruptcy operations.
Spirit entered its first bankruptcy in November 2024, emerging in March 2025, but refiled in August 2025 amid ongoing losses and rising costs. The carrier has returned dozens of Airbus A320-family aircraft to lessors, shrinking its fleet from over 220 to under 100 active jets, with 62 more in storage. It anticipates exiting bankruptcy by late spring or early summer 2026 after creditor approval of its restructuring plan.
Prior moves include canceling a planned furlough of 365 pilots in December 2025 and recalling nearly 500 flight attendants. No timeline has been set for the 1,800 furloughed flight attendants. These steps aim to stabilize operations for peak summer demand with a leaner network focused on high-demand routes.