Spirit Airlines Exits Hartford’s Bradley Airport Amid Bankruptcy Restructuring
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Spirit Airlines will permanently end all service at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL) on Oct. 31, 2025, as part of its second Chapter 11 restructuring in a year. The carrier is also exiting Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) on Dec. 1, 2025) and trimming multiple other routes as it refocuses on what it calls its “strongest markets.”
Why Spirit is pulling out
Spirit has been battling steep operating losses and high debt. After emerging from a first Chapter 11 in March 2025, the airline filed again in August, this time saying it would use court protection to resize the fleet, cut capacity, and reduce costs (including labor and aircraft leases). Network exits like BDL and MSP are part of that plan.
What this means for travelers
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Flights after the exit dates are canceled. Spirit says it will contact affected customers and issue refunds for impacted reservations.
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Travel credits & points: Spirit states it will continue honoring existing tickets, credits, and loyalty points during restructuring, but those won’t help on routes the airline no longer serves.
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Alternatives from BDL: Travelers in Hartford/Springfield should price-check other carriers from BDL (and, if flexible, Providence (PVD) or Boston (BOS)) for comparable low fares.
Staffing and schedule cuts
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Spirit plans to furlough ~1,800 of its ~5,200 flight attendants effective Dec. 1, 2025, as it reduces flying and parks aircraft.
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The carrier previously confirmed it would cancel at least 11 routes beginning in October, with more adjustments possible as the restructuring continues.
If you’re booked on Spirit out of BDL
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Watch your email/app for Spirit’s cancellation notice.
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Choose your remedy: Full refund is standard for canceled flights; if you paid by credit card, you may also pursue a chargeback through your card issuer.
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Rebook smart: Compare fares from BDL, but also look at PVD/BOS for competitive prices, especially on ultra-low-cost or basic economy fares.
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Mind add-ons: If you had prepaid bags or seats via Spirit, those should be refunded with the ticket; re-add them when you rebook on a different airline.
The bigger picture
The ULCC segment is under pressure from weaker domestic leisure demand, higher costs, and intense competition. Spirit’s plan centers on shrinking to profitability: fewer aircraft, fewer stations, and denser flying where it performs best. Exiting BDL and MSP helps free aircraft time and crews to redeploy into core routes with stronger yields and load factors.
Bottom line
Spirit is permanently leaving Bradley on Oct. 31. If you’re booked after that date, expect a cancellation notice and a refund option. Check competing flights from BDL (and nearby airports) now—fares can jump as capacity disappears, and early rebooking usually yields the best prices.
