UPDATE: Spirit Airlines officially stopped all services across the United States and announced its complete closure on Saturday, May 3rd.
Original story: Spirit is cutting more than 1,000 flights from Orlando in May 2026, reducing capacity by nearly 40% compared to last year. The cuts are part of the airline’s ongoing restructuring following its bankruptcy filings.
Data analyzed by the Orlando Business Journal, based on aviation analytics from Cirium, shows Spirit will operate 2,173 departing flights (436,031 seats) from Orlando in May 2026. That represents a nearly 40% drop from 3,613 flights (693,736 seats) in May 2025.
Key numbers:
- 2,173 flights scheduled for May 2026
- Down from 3,613 flights in May 2025
- 40% decrease in capacity
- 436,031 seats vs. 693,736 last year
A spokesperson for the Dania Beach-based airline said the cuts are tied to ongoing restructuring efforts following multiple bankruptcy filings, including Chapter 11 proceedings in November 2024 and again in August 2025.
“As part of our ongoing restructuring, we have made adjustments to align our network with our updated fleet size and focus on our strongest performing routes,” the spokesperson said, adding that Orlando will still offer nonstop service to nearly 30 destinations.
Spirit’s parent company, Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc., previously announced plans to reduce debt from $7.4 billion to $2 billion and emerge from bankruptcy by mid-2026. The strategy includes scaling back its fleet and concentrating service in core markets like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and the New York City region.
However, the airline’s future remains uncertain. Reports from Bloomberg indicate Spirit has explored a potential $500 million financing package to stabilize operations, while sources suggest liquidation remains a possibility if restructuring efforts fall short.
Other Airlines Expand at MCO
While Spirit pulls back, other carriers are ramping up service at Orlando International Airport.
Breeze Airways posted the largest growth, increasing flights by 62% year-over-year. The airline will operate 1,104 flights (150,088 seats) from Orlando this May, up from 678 flights (92,886 seats) in May 2025.
A Breeze spokesperson said Orlando is now its second-largest market by seats and flights. The airline offers nonstop service to destinations including Key West, Pensacola, and New Orleans, while also targeting underserved cities such as Brownsville, Texas; Norfolk, Virginia; and Ogdensburg, New York.
Founded by David Neeleman—who also launched JetBlue and Azul Brazilian Airlines—Breeze has positioned itself as a “premium but affordable” carrier, offering low fares along with perks like free Wi-Fi and snacks.
Other airlines also increased capacity at MCO in May:
- Southwest Airlines: up 15% to 9,795 flights (about 1.6 million seats)
- Delta Air Lines: up 6% to 3,754 flights (713,636 seats)
- Frontier Airlines: up 11% to 3,247 flights (676,674 seats)
Overall seat capacity at Orlando International Airport rose 1.7% compared to May 2025, according to airport officials.
Passenger Growth Continues
Despite the shifting airline landscape, passenger traffic at MCO remains strong. The airport reported approximately 58.2 million passengers over the 12 months ending in March, a nearly 3% increase year-over-year.
MCO currently serves more than 116 domestic destinations—ranking 10th in the U.S.—and 57 international destinations, ranking 12th nationwide.
Uncertainty Surrounds Spirit’s Future
Concerns about Spirit’s long-term viability continue to grow. The airline carried more than 6 million passengers through Orlando in 2025, making it the airport’s third-largest carrier, according to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Hundreds of pilots and flight attendants are also based in Central Florida.
Bloomberg reported that Spirit could be on the verge of liquidation amid financial pressures, including rising fuel costs and restructuring challenges. The airline has not confirmed those reports, stating only that it does not comment on speculation and that operations continue as normal.
Travel experts warn passengers not to cancel existing bookings preemptively, as doing so could forfeit refund eligibility. Instead, travelers may have options through credit card disputes or certain travel insurance policies—particularly those that include financial default coverage, though such protections often depend on when the policy was purchased.
For now, Spirit’s reduced schedule—and the possibility of deeper cuts—adds uncertainty to Orlando’s air travel market, even as competing airlines move aggressively to capture demand.
