• Spirit Airlines is furloughing about one-third of its flight attendants.
• The furloughs come as part of a restructuring effort following the airline's second bankruptcy filing in August 2025.
• Nearly 1,800 flight attendants from a workforce of 5,200 will be affected, with cuts effective December 1, 2025.
• Cost-cutting measures also target pilots, with significant concessions being sought.
• Spirit has announced a 25% reduction in flight capacity as part of its strategy to stabilize financially.

Spirit Airlines is set to furlough approximately 1,800 of its 5,200 flight attendants as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at aligning staffing with fleet size amid ongoing financial difficulties. The furloughs, which will commence on December 1, 2025, represent about one-third of the airline's flight attendant workforce. Spirit's spokesperson emphasized that the decision, while challenging, is essential for the airline's recovery process, stating, "We recognize the impact of this decision on affected Team Members, and we are committed to treating them with care and respect during this process," according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

The announcement of these furloughs comes shortly after Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in a year, driven by a reported net loss of around $246 million in the second quarter of 2025. Chief Operating Officer John Bendoraitis stated that the airline's management was facing "difficult decisions" regarding its workforce and network, necessitating a "complete rightsizing" effort and limiting the number of voluntary leaves available to employees. Earlier, the airline had temporarily averted furloughs by placing over 800 employees on voluntary leave, but this was no longer sustainable, as noted by Newsweek and Business Insider.

Spirit Airlines noted that the furloughs will begin with voluntary options before transitioning to involuntary cuts based on seniority. This follows the union's position that management must prioritize voluntary furloughs first, which is consistent with the terms of their contract. As part of its broader cost-cutting strategy, the airline will also implement a reduction in flight capacity of 25%, focusing on more profitable routes as part of its restructuring plan. This has significant implications for customers who rely on Spirit's often lower fares, as the company adjusts its operational capabilities, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and Business Insider.