Spirit Airlines shut down overnight, canceling all flights and stranding thousands of travelers, including many at Orlando International Airport.
“Nothing but emptiness — that’s all you see when you look at the checkout lanes here for Spirit,” one observer said. “You can also see this update right here: Spirit has shut down all of its operations.”
Passengers whose trips were disrupted said they received little help.
“Can’t get a transfer — they didn’t move us over. No help, no accommodations — nothing,” Amber Savinon said. “Just, ‘Your flight is canceled.’”
Furious — that’s the word from many Spirit travelers blindsided by the sudden shutdown Saturday.
“They basically just abandoned everybody,” Steven Watkins said. “I was abandoned.”
Other travelers said they were stuck for hours.
“I’ve been in the lobby for eight hours. Checkout was at 11,” Watkins said. “I’ve been stranded, walking around — out in the sun. It’s been a terrible day.”
Christian Santiago, a former Spirit flight dispatcher who worked for the airline for three years, said he was at Orlando International Airport on Saturday watching the last flight.
“It was just unbelievable. It was like a nightmare,” Santiago said. “I couldn’t believe what was going on.”
Santiago is among 17,000 workers who are now out of a job, but he said he remains grateful for the company.
“One of the reasons I came from Puerto Rico was to work for Spirit Airlines,” he said. “It was more than a job — it was a career.”
Other airlines are offering priority hiring options for employees affected by the shutdown, Santiago said. He said he already has a new job and hopes to stay in aviation.
“Fortunately, I was able to move on, but I was hoping to stay in the aviation industry,” he said.
Customers were told not to expect help rebooking on other airlines. Some may be eligible for refunds only if they booked directly through Spirit, not through a third party.
Rosen Hotels and Resorts is offering reduced rates for customers impacted by the shutdown.