Spirit Airlines to Furlough 270 Pilots, Downgrade 140 Captains Amid Restructuring
Spirit Airlines has announced plans to furlough around 270 pilots and demote 140 captains as part of efforts to streamline operations and cut costs. The move comes as the low-cost carrier continues to grapple with financial challenges following its recent bankruptcy.
According to the company, the captain downgrades will take effect on October 1, while the pilot furloughs will begin on November 1. Spirit said the decision was necessary to align staffing levels with a reduced flight schedule as the airline works toward returning to profitability.
“We are taking necessary steps to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability,” Spirit said in a statement to Reuters.
The announcement marks the third round of pilot furloughs and downgrades since September 2024, according to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
“Spirit continues to shrink, and with it, the value of pilot seniority and Spirit careers continues to erode,” said Captain Ryan Muller, chairman of Spirit’s ALPA unit. The union said it is negotiating a third Furlough Mitigation Memorandum of Understanding, seeking voluntary measures to lessen the impact on pilots.
Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2024, weighed down by mounting debt, years of losses, and a failed merger attempt. The airline emerged from bankruptcy in March 2025 and has since been working to shift away from its budget airline image toward a more premium service model.
The company’s latest workforce cuts highlight the ongoing difficulties Spirit faces as it attempts to restructure and stabilize operations in a highly competitive U.S. airline market.
