Can Spirit Airlines Survive?

In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the prospects of Spirit Airlines as it struggles to revive. In part two, the conversation turns north to Air Canada and its path ahead following a costly, peak-season flight attendant strike.

Five Key Takeaways

• Spirit Airlines faces existential risk – with bankruptcy, liquidation, merger, or recovery as possible paths, but its ULCC model looks increasingly unsustainable in today’s market.

• Structural industry shifts hurt ULCCs – post-pandemic demand favors premium and international travel, squeezing carriers like Spirit and Frontier that rely on dense domestic leisure routes.

• Air Canada’s strike shows labor power – flight attendants achieved rare wins like boarding pay, setting precedents for North American labor negotiations.

• Financial impact on Air Canada is major – losing nearly a quarter of annual operating profits during peak season could drag down 2025 results despite prior momentum.

• Fleet and strategy decisions loom – Air Canada’s choice between Airbus and Boeing for widebody replacements could shape its competitive and political positioning in the next decade.

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