Airline data

Spirit Airlines performance scorecard

As of 2026-07, 41.8% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about Spirit are negative (46 of 110) — including "is spirit airlines closing".

We hold 102 validated statistics for Spirit Airlines, covering 1998 to 2026-07. The 68 most recent in each category are below.

What this does not meanThis carrier’s figures span 1 January 2018, when the DOT changed both which airlines must report (from 1% to half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue) and how flights are attributed (from the operating carrier to the marketing carrier). Figures either side of that date describe different populations of flights, so they are listed by year rather than drawn as one trend.

Public attention

As of 2026-07, 41.8% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about Spirit are negative (46 of 110) — including "is spirit airlines closing".
2026-07census of returned suggestions at snapshot date
Suggestions vary by time and geography; editorial/research use with as-of date.
In 2026-05, Spirit drew 22.99x its normal Wikipedia attention (929616 views) with press tone -1.572 across 7233 articles.
2026-05attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2026-04, Spirit drew 1.66x its normal Wikipedia attention (67268 views) with press tone -1.892 across 1829 articles.
2026-04attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2025-09, Spirit drew 1.1x its normal Wikipedia attention (44389 views) with press tone -2.941 across 3122 articles.
2025-09attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2025-06, Spirit drew 0.81x its normal Wikipedia attention (32804 views) with press tone -5.401 across 908 articles.
2025-06attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2024-11, Spirit drew 2.53x its normal Wikipedia attention (102142 views) with press tone -2.392 across 4559 articles, while cancelling 0.28% of flights.
2024-11attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2021-08, Spirit drew 1.37x its normal Wikipedia attention (55219 views) with press tone -4.148 across 1139 articles, while cancelling 15.31% of flights.
2021-08attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-08, Spirit drew 1.38x its normal Wikipedia attention (55868 views) with press tone -2.357 across 723 articles, while cancelling 1.3% of flights.
2018-08attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-06, Spirit drew 1.11x its normal Wikipedia attention (44712 views) with press tone -3.16 across 1380 articles, while cancelling 0.54% of flights.
2018-06attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-05, Spirit drew 1.26x its normal Wikipedia attention (50767 views) with press tone -2.576 across 649 articles, while cancelling 0.56% of flights.
2018-05attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-01, Spirit drew 1.02x its normal Wikipedia attention (41115 views) with press tone -3.148 across 1147 articles, while cancelling 2.6% of flights.
2018-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2017-05, Spirit drew 2.6x its normal Wikipedia attention (105221 views) with press tone -5.365 across 3545 articles, while cancelling 6.27% of flights.
2017-05attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).

Cancellations and delays

In 2024, 24.0% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=261103 flights).
2024n=261103 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2024, Spirit cancelled 1.91% of its 261103 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.053 pts), ranking 4 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2024n=261103 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.053 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2023, 29.2% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=263871 flights).
2023n=263871 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2023, Spirit cancelled 1.7% of its 263871 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.049 pts), ranking 5 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2023n=263871 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.049 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2022, 24.7% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=232400 flights).
2022n=232400 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, Spirit cancelled 3.0% of its 232400 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.069 pts), ranking 8 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2022n=232400 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.069 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, 20.9% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=191361 flights).
2021n=191361 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2021, Spirit cancelled 2.96% of its 191361 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.076 pts), ranking 3 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2021n=191361 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.076 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, 11.3% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=135102 flights).
2020n=135102 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2020, Spirit cancelled 2.19% of its 135102 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.078 pts), ranking 16 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2020n=135102 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.078 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2019, 18.9% of Spirit flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=204845 flights).
2019n=204845 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2019, Spirit cancelled 1.75% of its 204845 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.057 pts), ranking 8 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2019n=204845 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.057 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.

Lobbying and political spending

In 2024, Spirit reported $-1.23B net income while scoring 57.5/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #4 most miserable).
2024audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2024, Spirit scored 57.6/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #3.
2024composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, Spirit reported $-0.45B net income while scoring 66.4/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #3 most miserable).
2023audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2023, Spirit scored 69.3/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #2.
2023composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2022, Spirit reported $-0.55B net income while scoring 54.8/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #4 most miserable).
2022audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2022, Spirit scored 65.0/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #1.
2022composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2021, Spirit reported $-0.47B net income while scoring 65.2/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #4 most miserable).
2021audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2021, Spirit scored 92.2/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #1.
2021composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2020, Spirit reported $-0.43B net income while scoring 41.5/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #7 most miserable).
2020audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2020, Spirit scored 73.5/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #1.
2020composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2019, Spirit reported $0.34B net income while scoring 58.0/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #7 most miserable).
2019audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2019, Spirit scored 90.1/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #1.
2019composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.

Baggage and change fees

In 2024, Spirit Air Lines collected $20.5 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($816.0M total across 39.8M passengers).
2024complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2023, Spirit Air Lines collected $28.44 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1107.0M total across 38.9M passengers).
2023complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2022, Spirit Air Lines collected $30.92 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1047.0M total across 33.9M passengers).
2022complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2021, Spirit Air Lines collected $26.31 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($726.0M total across 27.6M passengers).
2021complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2020, Spirit Air Lines collected $25.93 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($436.0M total across 16.8M passengers).
2020complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2019, Spirit Air Lines collected $26.73 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($822.0M total across 30.7M passengers).
2019complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2018, Spirit Air Lines collected $26.64 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($701.0M total across 26.3M passengers).
2018complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2017, Spirit Air Lines collected $24.65 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($542.0M total across 22.0M passengers).
2017complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2016, Spirit Air Lines collected $24.87 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($477.0M total across 19.2M passengers).
2016complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2014, Spirit Air Lines collected $23.83 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($299.0M total across 12.6M passengers).
2014complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2013, Spirit Air Lines collected $22.65 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($245.0M total across 10.8M passengers).
2013complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2012, Spirit Air Lines collected $21.95 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($196.0M total across 8.9M passengers).
2012complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).

Report card

The 2024 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit D (47.3/100): reliability 36.8, baggage 61.3, fees 43.9.
2024composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2023 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (34.0/100): reliability 26.6, baggage 42.9, fees 32.4.
2023composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2022 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit D (41.8/100): reliability 44.9, baggage 52.5, fees 27.9.
2022composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2021 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit D (45.4/100): reliability 33.0, baggage 54.7, fees 12.2.
2021composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2020 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit D (44.5/100): reliability 77.2, baggage 45.1, fees 11.2.
2020composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2019 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (33.1/100): reliability 44.1, baggage 55.2, fees 0.0.
2019composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2018 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (28.7/100): reliability 57.4, baggage n/a, fees 0.0.
2018composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2017 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (14.1/100): reliability 26.4, baggage n/a, fees 1.8.
2017composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2016 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (0.4/100): reliability 0.8, baggage n/a, fees 0.0.
2016composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (0.9/100): reliability 0.0, baggage n/a, fees 1.8.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Spirit F (0.9/100): reliability 0.0, baggage n/a, fees 1.8.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.

Policy churn

The Internet Archive captured 14 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2026 (14.0 versions per page).
2026distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 13 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2025 (13.0 versions per page).
2025distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 17 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2024 (17.0 versions per page).
2024distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 14 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2023 (14.0 versions per page).
2023distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 6 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2022 (6.0 versions per page).
2022distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 14 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2021 (14.0 versions per page).
2021distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 8 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2020 (8.0 versions per page).
2020distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 8 distinct versions of Spirit's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2019 (8.0 versions per page).
2019distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.

Denied boarding

In 2021, Spirit Air Lines involuntarily denied boarding to 280 passengers (0.133 per 10,000 boarded), paying $0 in compensation.
2021complete DOT-reported population

What this scorecard does not tell you

Cancellation and delay rates are not directly comparable between carriers. Route networks differ, and so does the weather they fly through.
An average delay figure is computed across delayed flights only, so a carrier that cancels its worst flights can look better on that measure. Read any delay average next to the cancellation rate.
Regional flights sold under this airline’s code may be operated by a different carrier. Since 2018 they are attributed to the marketing carrier, which is the code on your ticket.
These are counts and rates, not explanations. We have not tested why any figure moved.

Nothing here tells you what you are owed. That depends on the rule for your situation, which is on the passenger rights pages.

Row30 provides data journalism and education, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not represent passengers in legal proceedings. For advice about your own situation, consult an attorney.

Source: Google autocomplete suggestions as of 2026-07, collected and classified by Row30.

Source: Internet Archive Wayback Machine captures; analysis by Row30.

Source: Row30 Airline Report Card, computed from U.S. DOT BTS data (On-Time, Form 41, baggage, denied boarding).

Source: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report denied boarding data; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Performance; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Form 41 financials via Bureau of Transportation Statistics; analysis by Row30.

Sources: SEC EDGAR company filings; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate LDA; U.S. DOT Form 41 + On-Time Performance via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database; U.S. DOT Form 41 via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: Wikimedia pageviews; GDELT Project; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.