Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Business

Spirit Airlines tried to be the Dollar General of the skies. Then the big airlines beat it at its own game

Spirit Airlines helped pioneer ultra-cheap flying and soared. Then legacy airlines copied them, outmaneuvered them with loyalty programs, and the economy turned against their core customers.

Spirit Airlines tried to be the Dollar General of the skies. Then the big airlines beat it at its own game
Image: NPR Business

Spirit Airlines helped pioneer ultra-cheap flying and soared. Then legacy airlines copied them, outmaneuvered them with loyalty programs, and the economy turned against their core customers.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

Originally published at NPR Business

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