Amid ongoing financial restructuring, Spirit Airlines has taken a decisive step by selling a portion of its fleet while simultaneously recalling hundreds of furloughed employees. According to WSVN, the Dania Beach-based carrier is in the process of selling 20 airplanes as it navigates through Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization. The airline has also signaled a significant move to recall 500 flight attendants who were furloughed in the previous year.
Spirit's financial tribulations have necessitated more than one bankruptcy filing within a relatively short span – their most recent in August 2025 following an earlier restructuring completion in March 2025. The airline also emphasized that the planned sale of the 20 jets, which are primarily out of service, would not affect its flight schedule. "As part of our ongoing restructuring, we have reached an agreement to sell 20 aircraft that have been held for sale for some time. Most of these aircraft are not currently in revenue service," Spirit commented in a statement attained by Fox Business. The court's approval for these sales would bolster the airline’s financial flexibility amid ongoing challenges.
The proposal to sell the aircraft is subject to the nod of a federal bankruptcy court, with the transaction aimed to assist in offsetting the debt tied to the planes and to support operational cost reduction. CSDS Asset Management, an aviation asset manager, has agreed to purchase the 20 jets for a sum near $533.5 million as reported by Reuters, and if the court gives the green light, the auction process will likely commence in April with a starting bid at approximately $554 million.
In a parallel move to sell its aircraft, Spirit Airlines announced the imminent return of portions of its workforce. The airline's choice triggers a positive turn for 500 flight attendants who faced involuntary furlough as of December 1, 2025. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA made clear that those members would be recalled based on system seniority. "This is good news for 500 Flight Attendants and their families and critical to those of us on the line that have faced a grueling operation over the last two months. The company's goal in recalling Flight Attendants is to ease some of the operational issues since the furloughs," the union expressed in a statement posted to X and cited by Fox Business. The airline and union continue navigating through various issues like scheduling, healthcare, benefits, and dependability policies.
As Spirit looks forward to enhancing its seasonal service in Atlanta and increasing flights between Miami International Airport and Orlando starting April, as noted by WSVN, the recall of flight attendants signifies a potential stabilization of the workforce and operational capacities.
