Spirit Airlines is pulling the plug on its year-round flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to Orlando, with the route scheduled to end April 15, 2026. That decision wipes out Latrobe’s most popular nonstop to Florida and will leave the airport with only seasonal service to Myrtle Beach later this spring. For Westmoreland County residents who have long favored the quick drive to Latrobe over the haul to Pittsburgh International, the convenience factor just took a hit.
According to TribLIVE, Spirit’s timetable shows the Orlando route ending April 15. Spirit spokesperson Thomas Fletcher told the outlet in an email that seasonal Myrtle Beach flights will become the carrier’s only service from the airport, and Spirit did not elaborate on why the Orlando route is getting cut.
WTAE reports that Spirit is currently the only commercial airline operating at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The station notes that Spirit’s published schedule lists Myrtle Beach service from mid-April through early September, and that the carrier is expected to emerge from its second bankruptcy later this year.
Financial Strain And Local Risk
Small regional airports like Latrobe live and die by the fortunes of a single low-cost carrier, and Spirit’s ongoing restructuring has already reshaped flight options around the country. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last year that Spirit had been slowly rebuilding its network, including seasonal Myrtle Beach service and limited Fort Lauderdale flights, and airport officials at the time called those signs encouraging.
Now, losing a year-round Orlando connection threatens to undercut that optimism. Local leaders say the cut could make the region less convenient for both vacationers chasing Florida sunshine and business travelers who had come to rely on a quicker, closer option than Pittsburgh International.
What Travelers Should Do
Passengers who already booked Latrobe-to-Orlando flights are being urged to review their reservations with Spirit or their travel agent and to keep a close eye on flight-status updates. Alternatives include flying from Pittsburgh International Airport or driving to other regional hubs, although those choices typically mean more time on the road and higher costs for many Westmoreland County travelers. Airport staff says they plan to share updates as they work to lure additional service to Arnold Palmer Regional.
Where Things Stand
As WTAE notes, Spirit’s schedule currently shows Myrtle Beach flights running from mid-April through early September, with the Orlando run slated to stop on April 15. For now, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport will operate with a slimmer lineup, and residents are being encouraged to watch for any new route announcements or schedule changes from the airline or the airport.
