Spirit Airlines

Other airlines — including United and JetBlue — could benefit in markets like Fort Lauderdale.

Spirit is set to emerge from its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the late spring or early summer. Post-bankruptcy, it is looking to expand premium seats and shift focus to routes with high-demand.

Right before spring break, Spirit is bringing back some flight attendants to work after furloughing around 1,800 flight attendants last year.

New Frontier CEO James Dempsey wants to take the carrier back to its low-cost roots, saying that saving on costs will lead Frontier to a more sustainable path.

The U.S. has become the hardest place in the world to run a ULCC, and only highly focused models are surviving.

After merger talks with Frontier stalled, Spirit is now looking to Castlelake for another way out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In 2026, expect more of the same for the airline industry — analysts think the premium boom will most likely continue and the ultra-low-cost carriers could flounder.

James Dempsey will be Frontier’s new CEO amid speculation that the carrier is once again interested in a merger with the beleaguered Spirit Airlines.

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A merger would save Spirit from shutting down, but the combined companies would still face a tough environment for ultra-low-cost carriers.