Spirit Airlines, the airline of choice for many budget travelers, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, raising questions about the viability of no-frills airlines in the post-pandemic era, as consumer preferences shift toward more premium offerings.

The company has reassured passengers that its Chapter 11 bankruptcy will not affect their bookings and that staff will still be paid.

Well, it’s official, Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy, and who could’ve expected this one?!.... asked nobody. Known for their bright yellow and black logo, cheap flights but expensive luggage policy,

Budget carrier Spirit Airlines announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday in the face of mounting losses, increased labor costs and a highly competitive air travel market. The airline has failed to return to profitability following the downturn in air travel caused by coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

Tucked in the far corner of Terminal 3 at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, mostly unseen by business travelers, are the counters for Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost airline that in 2010 became notorious as the first U.