Sightful Invest
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
Top Posts
Top 5 moments from Charlie Kirk’s memorial service...
Trump set to approve TikTok deal ensuring majority-American...
Harris is speaking. This time, she isn’t bending...
Hamas letter to Trump asks for 60-day ceasefire...
Trump must make UN funding conditional on real...
Democrats skip Charlie Kirk Arizona memorial after 58...
‘Due to overhelming support:’ Turning Point USA says...
Thune slams Democrats’ ‘cold-blooded partisan’ tactics as funding...
Macron stakes anti-Trump global role with Gaza initiative...
Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh questions first...
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock

Sightful Invest

Business

Spirit Airlines, fresh from bankruptcy, is ready to take on the new Southwest, CEO says

by admin March 14, 2025
March 14, 2025
Spirit Airlines, fresh from bankruptcy, is ready to take on the new Southwest, CEO says

Spirit Airlines is out of bankruptcy, hitting its target to emerge in the first quarter, after a crippling few years. CEO Ted Christie says the carrier is leaner and ready to take on competitors, including rival Southwest Airlines.

Earlier this week, Southwest shocked customers by announcing it will start charging for checked bags for the first time in its half-century of flying, a huge strategy move for the largest domestic U.S. carrier. (There are some exceptions to Southwest new bag rules, which take effect in late May.)

“I think it’s going to be painful for a little bit as they find their footing, and we’re going to take advantage of that,” Spirit’s Christie said in an interview Thursday.

Southwest had been a standout in the U.S. by offering all customers two free checked bags, a perk that has endured recessions, spikes in fuel prices and other crises while most rivals introduced bag fees and raised them every few years.

Spirit Airlines, on the other hand, made a la carte pricing common in the U.S., with fees for seat assignments, checked bags and other add-ons. It’s a strategy most large airlines, except for Southwest, have copied in one form or another.

As Southwest starts charging for bags and introduces its first basic economy class, which doesn’t include a seat assignment or allow free changes, Spirit could possibly win over customers, Christie said.

Southwest said it would get rid of its single-class open seating model last year.

“There at least was an audience of people who were intentionally selecting and flying Southwest because they felt that it was easy. They knew they were going to get two bags,” Christie said. “Now that that’s no longer the case, it’s easy to say that they’re going to widen their aperture and they’re now going to look around.”

Spirit is far smaller than Southwest and even smaller than it was last year, but it competes with the airline in cities like Kansas City, Missouri; Nashville, Columbus, Ohio; and Milwaukee. If customers look on travel sites like Expedia, where Southwest is a new entrant, Spirit’s tickets could be cheaper and appear higher in results, Christie said.

Other airline executives have also said they expect to win over some Southwest customers.

Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein said at a JPMorgan industry conference Tuesday that there are consumers who choose Southwest based on its free-bag perk “and now those customers are up for grabs.”

Spirit, for its part, has recently been offering more ticket bundles that include things like seat assignments and luggage.

The carrier is now focused on returning to profitability. It posted a net loss of more than $1.2 billion last year, more than double its loss in 2023 as it grappled with grounded jets because of a Pratt & Whitney engine recall, higher costs, more domestic competition and a failed acquisition by JetBlue Airways.

Spirit has rejected multiple recent merger attempts by fellow budget carrier Frontier Airlines. Christie said Thursday that nothing is “off the table” and that a fifth-largest airline as a low cost carrier in the U.S. makes sense, but that the airline is focused on stabilizing itself after bankruptcy.

Through its restructuring process, which started in November, Spirit said it reduced its debt by about $795 million. The transaction converted debt into equity for major creditors. The carrier also received a $350 million equity infusion.

Spirit plans to relist its shares on a stock exchange but hasn’t set a date yet.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

previous post
Judge blocks Trump admin from targeting Democratic law firm after attorneys warn of firm’s demise
next post
Stunalara Acceptances Reach 54%

You may also like

Boeing delivered 30 airplanes in December, but gap...

January 15, 2025

ESPN networks, ABC and Disney channels go dark...

September 3, 2024

Inflation picks up again in June as tariffs...

July 17, 2025

Retailers scramble to move billions in cargo as...

October 1, 2024

Dick’s Sporting Goods is latest retailer to forecast...

March 12, 2025

Women’s Tennis Association extends media rights deal with...

June 27, 2025

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway hits $1 trillion market value,...

August 29, 2024

A Silicon Valley exec had $400K stolen by...

July 24, 2024

Harvard’s battle with the Trump administration is creating...

April 19, 2025

Trump not expected to carry through on Day...

January 22, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Top 5 moments from Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona
  • Trump set to approve TikTok deal ensuring majority-American investor control: White House
  • Harris is speaking. This time, she isn’t bending to Biden’s bullies
  • Hamas letter to Trump asks for 60-day ceasefire deal to release half of hostages, sources say
  • Trump must make UN funding conditional on real reforms, ex-diplomat urges

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest insights, updates, and exclusive content straight to your inbox! Whether it's industry news, expert advice, or inspiring stories, we bring you valuable information that you won't find anywhere else. Stay connected with us!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (927)
    • Investing (3,032)
    • Politics (3,709)
    • Stock (4)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sightfulinvest.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 Sightful Invest. All Rights Reserved.