Spirit’s Exit Keeps Budget Flights Out of Reach as Fares Rise

Spirit Airlines’ shutdown removed a long-standing budget option, contributing to nine straight months of rising airfares and forcing travelers to seek deals with other carriers or alternative transport. Rivals have absorbed Spirit’s routes, prices have climbed, and consumers are urged to be flexible, book early, and consider options like one-way tickets and flight-search tools to save. The story also notes differences in service for travelers with disabilities and the broader shift toward value-driven choices in a higher-price environment.