Stranded By Spirit Airlines? Here Is How Get Your Money Back In Pennsylvania

After the abrupt shutdown of Spirit Airlines last Saturday, Pennsylvania officials are urging travelers to move quickly to recover costs for canceled flights.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and his office’s Bureau of Consumer Protection issued advisories Tuesday for passengers stranded by the carrier’s collapse.

The airline operated out of major regional hubs, including Philadelphia, Newark, Atlantic City, and Baltimore-Washington international airports. Spirit Airlines did not fly out of Trenton-Mercer Airport.

“Spirit Airlines is asking that guests do not go to the airport as all Spirit flights have been cancelled,” the attorney general’s office said.

Spirit Airlines said it will automatically issue refunds for tickets purchased directly via credit or debit cards. The airline also plans to process refunds for prepaid add-ons, such as baggage fees, seat assignments, and inflight Wi-Fi, provided they were paid for prior to May 2.

The refund process is more complex for those who did not book directly.

“If you booked your trip with a third-party company, you should contact them directly to inquire about a refund,” the attorney general’s office said in a statement.

Officials also advised consumers who used credit cards to contact their financial institutions immediately to dispute charges, noting that travelers must act quickly to preserve their legal right to challenge the transactions.

Spirit has said that compensation for customers who used loyalty points, vouchers, or travel credits will be determined at a later date as part of the formal bankruptcy process. Because of the filing, certain claims fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Pennsylvania residents who are unable to get refunds through their banks or travel agents are encouraged to file a formal complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting its website or by calling the office at 1-800-441-2555.

Consumers can also find information regarding the bankruptcy and file a proof of claim through the airline’s restructuring website or via the court-appointed claims agent, Epiq.

Spirit filed for bankruptcy twice after a 2024 merger with JetBlue was blocked by President Joe Biden’s administration over antitrust concerns, Reuters reported.

While the company worked to emerge from bankruptcy, skyrocketing jet fuel prices linked to the war with Iran forced the abrupt shutdown, leaving 17,000 employees without jobs.

In letter to employees, Spirit said the increase in fuel prices since the war began left the airline with “insufficient liquidity to continue operations.”

President Donald Trump and his administration looked at a potential bailout of Spirit Airlines, but the taxpayer-backed deal fell apart in the final days before the closure, according to the Associated Press.

Industry analysts told CNBC that the collapse of the low-cost carrier, combined with rising fuel costs, is expected to drive up ticket prices across the airline industry.