Scaling Down Workforce In Effort To Save Cash

Spirit Airlines announced it will be furloughing 270 pilots and downgrading another 140 as the company scales down its workforce to more closely match its downsized schedule and conserve as much cash as possible.

The furloughs will become effective November 1 and the captain downgrades will take effect October 1.

The airline said in a statement to the media, "We are taking necessary steps to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability.”

Spirit is apparently making an attempt to repackage its operation away from the no-frills model and become a premium airline. After years of heavy losses, worsening debt, and failed mergers, the Florida-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024. The company emerged from the proceedings in March 2025 after its debt restructuring was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

Captain Ryan Muller, chairman of the Spirit unit of the Air Line Pilots Association Int’l, noted that this marks the third round of pilot furloughs and downgrades since September 2024. He said, "Spirit continues to shrink, and with it, the value of pilot seniority and Spirit careers continues to erode.”

The union said it is working on a third Furlough Mitigation Memorandum of Understanding to pursue voluntary options to reduce the scope of the furloughs and preserve pilot careers.

Spirit Airlines statement concluded, "We recognize the weight of this decision and are committed to treating all affected Team Members with compassion and respect during this process.”

FMI:  www.spirit.com/