Spirit Airlines keeps adjusting its network to pursue higher demand.
The Dania Beach, Florida carrier subtly introduced four new routes and temporarily halted three others during its latest schedule update, initially observed in Cirium Diio data and subsequently verified by a spokesperson from the airline.
Spirit’s newly introduced routes consist of three daily flights:
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) — Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) — Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
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All three flights are set to begin on August 14. The Baltimore routes will run daily, whereas the new 235-mile shuttle service from Detroit to Chicago will run twice a day.
Additionally, Spirit will introduce a service running five times a week between Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) starting on September 5.
Three of Spirit’s newly introduced routes will face competition from Southwest Airlines, which currently serves both Baltimore routes and the route from Nashville to New Orleans.
Additionally, the airline is competing directly with the “Big Three” U.S. carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines), which already offer extensive service on the Detroit-to-Chicago route.
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Although Spirit has traditionally chosen markets geared toward leisure, the airline has been losing money since the coronavirus pandemic. To improve profitability, it is expanding its network into more established markets in larger cities.
Opportunities such as the Detroit to Chicago route will also assist the carrier in expanding its connecting options, which is a crucial priority for Spirit’s network planners.
This year alone, Spirit has made numerous changes to its network. Although such modifications are common for ultra-low-cost carriers, Spirit is actively pursuing new demand.
In addition to the network modifications, the airline is working to shed its reputation as the epitome of excessive nickel-and-diming. To support this effort, Spirit has unveiled a series of customer-centric enhancements, such as the removal of change fees, higher baggage allowances, and more adaptable travel vouchers.
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It’s uncertain if this will lead to more reservations, but United CEO Scott Kirby stated on a recent episode of “The Air Show” podcast that he believes these low-cost airlines are “going out of business.”
In addition to introducing new routes, Spirit is also discontinuing three others:
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- ORD — Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Chicago) to Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
The airline has stated that these reductions are seasonal; however, we will need to keep an eye on them to determine if they will be reinstated next year.
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