Southwest crews give Spirit pilot a retirement sendoff he missed

After Spirit Airlines abruptly shut down, Capt. Jon Jackson missed his planned retirement flight. He traveled home as a passenger on a Southwest flight with his son, a Southwest first officer. Southwest crews organized a surprise upon landing in Baltimore—water-cannon salute, champagne at the gate, and cheers from staff and passengers—to honor the veteran pilot’s retirement, turning a sad day for the Spirit family into a meaningful aviation moment.