Multiple Airlines Compete for Spirit's Routes
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 18 2026
0mins
Following Spirit Airlines' demise, rival airlines are moving in on the company's former routes, Jacob Passy and Alison Sider of The Wall Street Journal reports. Breeze, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines (ULCC), JetBlue (JBLU), and other discount carriers are looking to take over Spirit's former routes, especially those servicing small airports.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ULCC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ULCC
Wall Street analysts forecast ULCC stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 5.310
Low
4.00
Averages
5.57
High
8.00
Current: 5.310
Low
4.00
Averages
5.57
High
8.00
About ULCC
Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. is a holding company. The Company operates through its subsidiary, Frontier Airlines, Inc., which is an ultra-low-cost carrier company. The Company offers flights throughout the United States and to select near international destinations in the Americas. It has a fleet of approximately 176 Airbus single-aisle aircraft, consisting of overe A320ceos, 89 A320neos, 21 A321ceos and 60 A321neos. The Company primarily provides air transportation for passengers. It provides passenger airline service primarily to leisure travelers. It combines its fares with flexible optional services for an additional cost. Such additional options include carry-on and checked baggage, advance seat selection, extended-legroom premium seats, priority boarding and ticket changes and cancellations, as well as bundled options combining various optional services. The Company serves approximately 100 airports throughout the United States and international destinations in the Americas.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analysis of Impact from Spirit Airlines' Collapse on U.S. Budget Carriers
- Impact of Spirit's Collapse: Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2 after failing to secure a $500 million government bailout, intensifying competition among U.S. budget carriers; while its exit allows for fare increases, it does not resolve the long-standing cost pressures faced by the low-cost flight model.
- Competitor Strategies: Rivals like JetBlue and Frontier are targeting Spirit's market share, contending with the same surging fuel costs, with Frontier expecting a 3% to 5% increase in revenue per seat due to Spirit's exit, yet overall profitability remains constrained by rising operational costs.
- Fuel Cost Pressures: Avelo Airlines' CEO noted fuel prices surged from $2.56 to $4.71 per gallon, forcing a $20 fare increase; JetBlue and Frontier anticipate fuel costs rising over $100 million and $70 million to $83 million respectively this quarter, significantly impacting their profitability.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: While Allegiant Air reported a strong adjusted operating margin of 14.9%, the overall low-cost carrier sector faces dual challenges of high fuel costs and limited pricing power, leaving the future market outlook uncertain.
See More
Frontier Airlines Flight Strikes Pedestrian During Takeoff
- Incident Overview: Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 struck a pedestrian during takeoff at Denver International Airport, resulting in a brief engine fire and runway closure for investigation, occurring at approximately 11:19 PM with 231 people on board.
- Emergency Response: The Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the brief engine fire, and airport emergency teams promptly transported passengers to the terminal, ensuring their safety and demonstrating effective emergency response protocols.
- Investigation Underway: The airport has notified the National Transportation Safety Board, and Frontier Airlines stated it is coordinating with the airport and other safety authorities for the investigation, indicating the company's commitment to passenger safety and thoroughness in addressing the incident.
- Flight Details: The incident involved an Airbus A321 aircraft, originally scheduled to fly from Denver to Los Angeles, carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members, which may negatively impact the airline's reputation and operations.
See More
Investment Lessons from Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy Warning: The bankruptcy of Spirit Airlines serves as a stark reminder that companies with high debt and low revenue face severe financial distress, and investors should be cautious about stocks emerging from bankruptcy due to their high risk of re-entering bankruptcy.
- Impact of Failed Merger: The collapse of JetBlue's merger with Spirit due to regulatory issues significantly increased the investment risk associated with Spirit, and investors should be wary of similar 'Hail Mary' attempts, as they often indicate deteriorating financial health.
- Leverage Risks: High jet fuel prices and excessive leverage contributed to Spirit's bankruptcy, highlighting the need for investors in transportation stocks to scrutinize balance sheets to avoid financial crises stemming from high debt levels.
- Industry Caution: Spirit's situation serves as a warning that rising fuel costs could jeopardize other airlines, particularly JetBlue and Frontier Group, prompting investors to remain vigilant against potential bankruptcy risks.
See More
Frontier Airlines Expects Revenue Boost from Spirit Airlines Collapse
- Market Share Increase: The collapse of Spirit Airlines has instantly removed its market capacity, leading Frontier Airlines to anticipate a 3% to 5% uplift in revenue per available seat mile, significantly enhancing its competitive position in the airline industry.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: Frontier expects unit revenue to rise over 20% in the second quarter, driven by strong demand and reduced competition, showcasing the company's robust recovery capabilities in the market.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the release of its first-quarter results, Frontier's shares rose more than 6% in afternoon trading, indicating increased investor confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Strategic Restructuring Impact: Frontier had previously planned to merge with Spirit Airlines, but the deal was thwarted by JetBlue's cash offer; Spirit's collapse now provides Frontier with an opportunity to reassess its market strategy.
See More
Frontier Airlines Anticipates Revenue Boost from Spirit Airlines' Collapse
- Revenue Growth Expectation: Frontier Airlines anticipates a 3% to 5% uplift in revenue per available seat mile due to Spirit Airlines' collapse, which removes competitive pressure from the market.
- Market Overlap Analysis: Prior to its shutdown, Spirit Airlines had a 35% overlap in seat capacity with Frontier, indicating a direct benefit for Frontier as it captures Spirit's market share.
- Quarterly Performance: Following the release of its quarterly results, Frontier's shares surged over 6%, reflecting strong market confidence, with expectations of more than a 20% increase in unit revenue for the second quarter.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: With Spirit's exit, Frontier and other airlines like JetBlue are actively expanding routes, further solidifying their market positions, particularly in Florida, where Spirit was previously based.
See More
Frontier Group Reports Wider Q1 Loss Due to Rising Jet Fuel Prices
- Wider Loss: Frontier Group reported an adjusted loss per share of 30 cents for Q1, widening from 19 cents a year earlier, indicating a significant decline in profitability under cost pressures.
- Impact of Rising Fuel Prices: The surge in jet fuel prices has eroded Frontier's margins, leading to poor overall financial performance and highlighting the airline industry's high sensitivity to fuel cost fluctuations.
- Market Environment Challenges: In the highly competitive low-cost airline market, Frontier faces ongoing operational challenges, particularly against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, which may affect its future pricing strategies and market share.
- Financial Health Risks: As losses deepen, concerns about Frontier's financial health arise, potentially leading investors to question its long-term profitability, which could impact stock performance and financing capabilities.
See More
Analysis of Impact from Spirit Airlines' Collapse on U.S. Budget Carriers
- Impact of Spirit's Collapse: Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2 after failing to secure a $500 million government bailout, intensifying competition among U.S. budget carriers; while its exit allows for fare increases, it does not resolve the long-standing cost pressures faced by the low-cost flight model.
- Competitor Strategies: Rivals like JetBlue and Frontier are targeting Spirit's market share, contending with the same surging fuel costs, with Frontier expecting a 3% to 5% increase in revenue per seat due to Spirit's exit, yet overall profitability remains constrained by rising operational costs.
- Fuel Cost Pressures: Avelo Airlines' CEO noted fuel prices surged from $2.56 to $4.71 per gallon, forcing a $20 fare increase; JetBlue and Frontier anticipate fuel costs rising over $100 million and $70 million to $83 million respectively this quarter, significantly impacting their profitability.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: While Allegiant Air reported a strong adjusted operating margin of 14.9%, the overall low-cost carrier sector faces dual challenges of high fuel costs and limited pricing power, leaving the future market outlook uncertain.
See More
Frontier Airlines Flight Strikes Pedestrian During Takeoff
- Incident Overview: Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 struck a pedestrian during takeoff at Denver International Airport, resulting in a brief engine fire and runway closure for investigation, occurring at approximately 11:19 PM with 231 people on board.
- Emergency Response: The Denver Fire Department quickly extinguished the brief engine fire, and airport emergency teams promptly transported passengers to the terminal, ensuring their safety and demonstrating effective emergency response protocols.
- Investigation Underway: The airport has notified the National Transportation Safety Board, and Frontier Airlines stated it is coordinating with the airport and other safety authorities for the investigation, indicating the company's commitment to passenger safety and thoroughness in addressing the incident.
- Flight Details: The incident involved an Airbus A321 aircraft, originally scheduled to fly from Denver to Los Angeles, carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members, which may negatively impact the airline's reputation and operations.
See More
Investment Lessons from Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy Warning: The bankruptcy of Spirit Airlines serves as a stark reminder that companies with high debt and low revenue face severe financial distress, and investors should be cautious about stocks emerging from bankruptcy due to their high risk of re-entering bankruptcy.
- Impact of Failed Merger: The collapse of JetBlue's merger with Spirit due to regulatory issues significantly increased the investment risk associated with Spirit, and investors should be wary of similar 'Hail Mary' attempts, as they often indicate deteriorating financial health.
- Leverage Risks: High jet fuel prices and excessive leverage contributed to Spirit's bankruptcy, highlighting the need for investors in transportation stocks to scrutinize balance sheets to avoid financial crises stemming from high debt levels.
- Industry Caution: Spirit's situation serves as a warning that rising fuel costs could jeopardize other airlines, particularly JetBlue and Frontier Group, prompting investors to remain vigilant against potential bankruptcy risks.
See More
Frontier Airlines Expects Revenue Boost from Spirit Airlines Collapse
- Market Share Increase: The collapse of Spirit Airlines has instantly removed its market capacity, leading Frontier Airlines to anticipate a 3% to 5% uplift in revenue per available seat mile, significantly enhancing its competitive position in the airline industry.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: Frontier expects unit revenue to rise over 20% in the second quarter, driven by strong demand and reduced competition, showcasing the company's robust recovery capabilities in the market.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the release of its first-quarter results, Frontier's shares rose more than 6% in afternoon trading, indicating increased investor confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Strategic Restructuring Impact: Frontier had previously planned to merge with Spirit Airlines, but the deal was thwarted by JetBlue's cash offer; Spirit's collapse now provides Frontier with an opportunity to reassess its market strategy.
See More
Frontier Airlines Anticipates Revenue Boost from Spirit Airlines' Collapse
- Revenue Growth Expectation: Frontier Airlines anticipates a 3% to 5% uplift in revenue per available seat mile due to Spirit Airlines' collapse, which removes competitive pressure from the market.
- Market Overlap Analysis: Prior to its shutdown, Spirit Airlines had a 35% overlap in seat capacity with Frontier, indicating a direct benefit for Frontier as it captures Spirit's market share.
- Quarterly Performance: Following the release of its quarterly results, Frontier's shares surged over 6%, reflecting strong market confidence, with expectations of more than a 20% increase in unit revenue for the second quarter.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: With Spirit's exit, Frontier and other airlines like JetBlue are actively expanding routes, further solidifying their market positions, particularly in Florida, where Spirit was previously based.
See More
Frontier Group Reports Wider Q1 Loss Due to Rising Jet Fuel Prices
- Wider Loss: Frontier Group reported an adjusted loss per share of 30 cents for Q1, widening from 19 cents a year earlier, indicating a significant decline in profitability under cost pressures.
- Impact of Rising Fuel Prices: The surge in jet fuel prices has eroded Frontier's margins, leading to poor overall financial performance and highlighting the airline industry's high sensitivity to fuel cost fluctuations.
- Market Environment Challenges: In the highly competitive low-cost airline market, Frontier faces ongoing operational challenges, particularly against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, which may affect its future pricing strategies and market share.
- Financial Health Risks: As losses deepen, concerns about Frontier's financial health arise, potentially leading investors to question its long-term profitability, which could impact stock performance and financing capabilities.
See More
