Airlines rush to help stranded Spirit passengers with rescue fares

• Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, canceling all flights and leaving passengers to find new travel arrangements.
• The airline will provide refunds for tickets purchased directly but will not rebook passengers on other carriers.
• Multiple other airlines, including American, United, and Delta, are offering discounted or capped fares to assist stranded Spirit passengers.

Spirit Airlines shuttered operations in the early hours of May 2, canceling all flights and leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to rebook.

The company said in a statement on social media that it would not be able to assist with rebooking passengers on other airlines, but added that refunds would be available immediately for passengers who purchased their tickets through Spirit's website with a credit or debit card.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said other airlines were stepping in to help get Spirit's passengers home.

"Following conversations with the Department of Transportation, America Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier, Avelo, and Breeze have all agreed to support impacted Spirit passengers in different ways," the DOT's statement said.

Broadly, many airlines are offering reduced fares to passengers with canceled Spirit tickets, or capped fares on routes where they competed with Spirit.

United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest are all capping ticket prices specifically for Spirit customers who now need to rebook cancelled flights. According to the DOT, passengers will need to provide a Spirit flight confirmation number and proof of payment in order to take advantage of these discounted tickets. Individual airline websites will have more information.

Meanwhile according to the DOT, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are offering reduced fares on high-volume Spirit routes. Allegiant has also committed to freezing fare prices across routes that overlap with Spirit. To support impacted travelers, Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares across its network until May 10th.

Here are more details on how other carriers are helping. Details of Breeze Airways' plans were not immediately available.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant is offering 50% back in bonus points in its Allways Rewards program for new travel booked by May 12 and flown by June 20 on eligible routes. In order to receive the points, travelers must use the code ALLWAYSTHERE at booking.

Eligible routes and terms for the promotion are listed on Allegiant's website.

American Airlines

American Airlines reduced fares on routes it overlaps with Spirit Airlines and said it is looking to add additional rescue flights in some markets.

"We immediately put rescue fares into place on Spirit routes where American also offers nonstop service. American serves 70 of the 72 airports Spirit presently serves, and 67 of the specific routes Spirit currently operates," the airline's website says. "We are also reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity — including utilizing larger aircraft and adding flights on critical routes — to support as many affected passengers as possible."

Avelo

Avelo is pointing affected customers to an ongoing promotion, which offers 75% off base fares on select flights using the promo code TRYAVELO on tickets purchased by May 13 for travel through Nov. 17. The airline is also offering a status match for Spirit frequent flyers, according to its website.

Delta Air Lines

Delta is selling reduced fares for five days in U.S. markets where Spirit operated and on Latin American routes where Delta and Spirit competed.

"We are offering reduced, nonrefundable rescue fares in affected markets over the next five days to help travelers book last-minute travel, with availability even on flights that are close to full to provide more options even when space may be limited," the airline said in a statement.

The fares are available through the normal booking process.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier, which competed with Spirit on more than 100 routes, according to the airline, is offering 50% off base fares across its network for select flights purchased by May 10 for travel through Nov. 19. Terms apply and the promo code is SAVENOW.

“Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people,” Bobby Schroeter, Frontier’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement. “We recognize this is a difficult time for their customers and team members. Frontier is making discounted fares available to help people keep their travel plans and maintain access to low fares.”

JetBlue

JetBlue is offering $99 one-way fares on routes where it competed with Spirit for travelers who can prove they had a canceled Spirit ticket through May 6.

The airline is also capping basic economy fares at $299 on flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico for new bookings between May 2 and 8 for travel through May 8.

More information can be found on JetBlue's website.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is offering capped one-way fares that can be purchased in-person at ticket counters with proof of a canceled Spirit Airlines ticket.

The fares will be available for purchase through May 6 on domestic routes where Southwest competed with Spirit.

Fares will range from $200 to $400 one-way, based on travel distance.

Southwest is also offering status match for Spirit Airlines frequent flyers. More information can be found on Southwest's website.

United Airlines

United is capping one-way fares on routes where it competed with Spirit. In order to purchase the fares, customers will have to provide their Spirit Airlines confirmation number and proof of flight confirmation.

The fare caps are $199 for nonstop flights and $299 for connecting itineraries in economy, and will be available for eligible flights through May 16.

More information is available on United's website.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York, and you can reach him at [email protected].