Spirit Airlines is once again adding a series of new routes to double down on the airline’s recent strategy to increase service at network carriers’ anchor hubs.
This time, the Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier will launch eight new routes for the peak summer season, all of which touch Dallas-Fort Worth or Detroit. Spirit spokesman Tommy Fletcher confirmed the new routes directly to TPG.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is American Airlines’ largest hub, and historically the airport has never had any head-to-head competition on the five routes Spirit is adding. Meanwhile, Spirit will add three more routes from Detroit, also a hub for Delta Air Lines.
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You’ll find the full table of new routes below, but highlights include another expansion in Kansas City, where the airline plans to grow from four to eight routes in just a few hours.
(Of the eight new routes announced Tuesday, the two to Kansas City are the only ones technically resuming for Spirit, Cirium’s schedule shows. Spirit used to fly from Detroit to Kansas City most recently in 2021 and from Dallas/Fort Worth to Kansas City in 2015.)
| Source | Destination | Flights available | Meeting day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Columbus, Ohio | Four times per week | July 10 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Kansas City | Four times per week | July 10 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Memphis | Three times per week | July 11 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Milwaukee | Three times per week | July 11 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | San Antonio | Twice per day | July 10 |
| Detroit | Charleston, South Carolina | Four times per week | July 10 |
| Detroit | Kansas City | Three times per week | July 11 |
| Detroit | Nashville | Daily | July 10 |
Earlier this month, Spirit announced that they would adds two new routes to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) from Boston and Newark. This MCI expansion comes shortly after JetBlue Airways announced that will leave the airport. At its peak in 2022, JetBlue flew from MCI to Boston and New York.
Another exciting addition is Spirit’s new 247-mile service from Dallas to San Antonio. The route will operate twice daily and compete directly with the average of more than 12 daily flights that American Airlines offers.
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While Spirit may not be able to attract the local market with just two daily flights, the airline has repeatedly said it is trying strengthen the portfolio of one-stop connecting itineraries for visitors.
The airline already operates a base at DFW, so the addition of the new San Antonio route (albeit running twice daily) could be timed to maximize the number of connections Spirit has Available outside DFW.
All of these new flights start just in time for the peak of summer and it will be interesting to see how many remain in operation as leisure travelers hibernate for the winter.
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If the airline can successfully convince travelers to book connecting flights, perhaps these flights will actually be available next season. After all, these days, carriers are looking to revive business wherever they can find it.
All this growth happened regardless of the airline limited fleet in recent months. Spirit confirmed it will not cut any flights to make room for these new routes.
“We look forward to giving you affordable options to explore more destinations this July with new, nonstop routes,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit. and travel from Dallas (DFW) and Detroit (DTW)”. declare. “We know Travelers love to save on their flights, and we’re excited to add these low-cost, high-value flight options for travelers planning their summer getaways.”
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