Popular Airline Cuts DOZENS of Routes Across Utah, California & Nevada!

If you’ve ever braved the neon-yellow seats of Spirit Airlines to score a cheap getaway, you might want to double-check your flight plans. The budget airline is slashing 24 routes across the U.S., including some that hit close to home for Utah, California, and Nevada travelers. Spirit says it’s trimming its less-frequented routes to focus on busier ones, but for frequent fliers in the West, this news feels like turbulence.

Flights Taking Off Forever

Spirit Airlines’ cutbacks are immediate, with some routes already grounded. Here's a look at the routes getting the axe and when they’re disappearing:

Already Grounded:

• Columbus to Tampa
• Nashville to Los Angeles
• Burbank to Sacramento
• Cleveland to Orlando
• Fort Lauderdale to Phoenix
• Los Angeles to Oakland
• Los Angeles to Pittsburgh
• Las Vegas to Richmond

Coming Soon:

• December 2, 2024: Dallas to Tampa
• December 3, 2024: Charlotte to Houston; Dallas to Houston; San Diego to Sacramento
• January 8, 2025: Boston to Newark; Charlotte to Dallas; Charlotte to Los Angeles; Columbus to Los Angeles
• March 2025: Los Angeles to San Antonio; Los Angeles to Salt Lake City

International Cuts:

• February 10, 2025: Fort Lauderdale to San Salvador
• February 11, 2025: Fort Lauderdale to Managua

How Does This Hit the West?

For Utah, California, and Nevada travelers, Spirit’s cuts are personal. Salt Lake City is losing its connection to Los Angeles, a popular route for both weekend warriors and business travelers. Californians are also feeling the pinch with routes like Los Angeles to Oakland, San Diego to Sacramento, and Burbank to Sacramento all scrapped. Nevada, home to Spirit-heavy Las Vegas, will see Richmond disappear from its flight map.

Why the Cutbacks?

Spirit claims the changes are all about efficiency. Instead of keeping planes in the air on less-popular routes, they’re focusing on the cash cows—busier, more lucrative flights. It makes sense on paper, but for budget-conscious travelers relying on Spirit for regional jaunts, it’s a frustrating move.

What’s Next for Budget Fliers?

If your go-to route is on Spirit’s chopping block, here are a few tips:

• Check Alternative Airports: Larger cities like L.A. and San Francisco often have multiple nearby airports.
• Shop Early: Other budget airlines like Frontier or Southwest may offer competitive fares.
• Road Trip It: For regional routes, a car might just be your cheapest and easiest option now.

So here’s to you, Spirit: we’ll miss those delightfully cheap flights—fees and all—on the routes that made sense. Just don’t expect us to forgive you when we’re stuck paying full price elsewhere.