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Spirit Adds Routes to Prepare For Fall, Winter Seasons

A Spirit A319 in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

While the summer travel season is at its mid-season peak, several major airlines continue to rebuild and expand their route networks to maximize connectivity and capture as much of the market as possible. In an industry known for being cutthroat and having fierce competition, Spirit’s ultra-low-cost strategy continues to lead to broad expansion as the airline prepares for the upcoming fall and winter holiday season. 

Earlier this week, the Miramar, Fla.-based carrier announced its proposal to commence international service out of Atlantic City, N.J. in October. The resort city on New Jersey’s coast should expect flights to and from three new cities complementing existing flight operations from one of the carrier’s main operating bases. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce our first flights from Atlantic City to the Caribbean and Mexico,”  Matt Klein, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines, said. “We know people are ready to get out and travel, and non-stop flights to popular destinations make it easy to plan a quick getaway with plenty of sun and sand. It’s been a pleasure working with government and airport leaders in Atlantic City to give our guests more options than ever before.”

The carrier’s international flights to Cancun will commence on Oct. 29, while flight operations to San Juan, Puerto Rico will begin on Oct. 31. Daily flights from Atlantic City to Miami — one of the ultra-low-cost carrier’s forthcoming destinations in South Florida that is supplementing its major base in Fort Lauderdale — will begin on Oct. 6. 

Miami’s Future Second Largest Airline

Spirit is expanding its operations in the northeastern U.S., but the airline also plans to expand out of South Florida. In early July, the carrier — known for its no-frills and budget travel experience — intends to serve Miami with 30 routes to cities across the country and to countries throughout the Caribbean. Daily flights will begin in October and November.

“Spirit Airlines has called South Florida home for longer than 20 years, and our expansion into Miami will make it even easier for the Guests we have in our own backyard to access the best value in the sky,” Ted Christie, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines, said in a statement. “South Florida is a vibrant destination from Palm Beach to the Keys, and it’s home to millions. Our new Miami routes, combined with our long list of flights at Fort Lauderdale, will give our Guests unparalleled options for travel to and from the region,” a philosophy accurately portrayed by the airline’s decision to sell hundreds of more seats in American Airlines’ stronghold.

Miami is an existing hub for American’s service to the Caribbean as well as a major hub for the airline in the southeastern U.S. American’s presence in the city will be the main obstacle Spirit will have to overcome as it seeks to make the city a stronghold of its own in response to rising travel demand and tourism in the post-Covid-19 world.

Benjamin Pham

Author

  • Benjamin Pham

    Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.

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