It’s Not Just Spirit: These Budget Airlines Are ‘Burning Cash’—Putting Low-Cost Fares At Risk episode artwork

EPISODE · May 5, 2026 · 4 MIN

It’s Not Just Spirit: These Budget Airlines Are ‘Burning Cash’—Putting Low-Cost Fares At Risk

from Forbes Talks · host Forbes Media LLC

The jet fuel crisis was the straw that broke Spirit Airlines’ back, but other budget airlines are also struggling to be profitable and losing market share—a potential warning for cost-conscious travelers, aviation experts tell Forbes. Low-cost carriers—including Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and Sun Country—combined for 35.5% of market share in February, down from 38.2% a year earlier, according to Cirium data. Spirit flew 1.7 million passengers in February—a 24% year-over-year drop, per Cirium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The jet fuel crisis was the straw that broke Spirit Airlines’ back, but other budget airlines are also struggling to be profitable and losing market share—a potential warning for cost-conscious travelers, aviation experts tell Forbes. Low-cost carriers—including Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and Sun Country—combined for 35.5% of market share in February, down from 38.2% a year earlier, according to Cirium data. Spirit flew 1.7 million passengers in February—a 24% year-over-year drop, per Cirium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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It’s Not Just Spirit: These Budget Airlines Are ‘Burning Cash’—Putting Low-Cost Fares At Risk

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The jet fuel crisis was the straw that broke Spirit Airlines’ back, but other budget airlines are also struggling to be profitable and losing market share—a potential warning for cost-conscious travelers, aviation experts tell Forbes. Low-cost...

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