Credit: Inside the MagicIf you’re one of the many families who rely on low-cost airlines to make your dream Disney vacation a reality, you might want to check your flight plans—Spirit Airlines just dropped another round of routes, and it’s hitting budget travelers hard.
Starting October 2, 2025, Spirit Airlines is pulling out of 11 more U.S. cities, part of its ongoing effort to restructure after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While route cuts aren’t new for Spirit this year, the latest announcement signals a deepening crisis—and it could have ripple effects on Disney-bound travelers, especially those hoping to visit Walt Disney World in Florida without breaking the bank.
The Cities Losing Service
According to CBS News, Spirit will cease all service to and from the following cities starting October 2:
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Albuquerque, NM
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Birmingham, AL
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Boise, ID
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Chattanooga, TN
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Oakland, CA
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Columbia, SC
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Portland, OR
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Sacramento, CA
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Salt Lake City, UT
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San Diego, CA
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San Jose, CA
In addition, the airline has canceled plans to launch service to Macon, GA, which was originally scheduled to begin on October 16.
For travelers in these areas, especially those who depend on low-cost carriers to reach Orlando, this move presents a serious challenge. Spirit Airlines has long been one of the most affordable ways to fly into Florida, often offering round-trip fares under $100 to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Now, with fewer direct flight options, vacation costs are almost guaranteed to rise.
How This Impacts Disney World Trips
The fallout from Spirit’s cutbacks will be especially felt by families planning trips to Walt Disney World Resort. Orlando is one of the busiest domestic destinations for leisure travelers, and budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant play a crucial role in making it financially accessible—especially during peak seasons like fall break, Halloween events, and the winter holidays.
With Spirit out of key markets like Salt Lake City, Portland, and San Diego, guests may have to:
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Pay significantly more for flights through traditional carriers
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Drive long distances to other airports still served by low-cost airlines
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Add layovers and longer travel days to reach Orlando
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Rebook with carriers offering fewer or more expensive routes
Families from the western U.S. and smaller southern cities will feel the impact most. Without Spirit, some will see price increases of $200–$400+ per person—a huge shift for budget-focused Disney travelers, especially those traveling in groups.
Planning a Budget Disney Trip Just Got Harder
For many Disney fans, budgeting for a trip to Walt Disney World is a strategic balancing act. Between rising ticket prices, hotel stays, Genie+ (now Lightning Lane Multi Pass), dining costs, and extras like special event tickets (hello, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), airfare was often the one area where guests could still save.
Spirit’s exit from 11 cities slashes a major cost-saving tool. And while some may opt to switch to Frontier or Allegiant, those airlines don’t always serve the same cities—or offer the same low base fares.
To make matters worse, some of the routes Spirit dropped were the only direct connections to Orlando from those cities. For instance, residents of Boise, Albuquerque, or Columbia, SC now face connecting flights, longer travel times, and fewer affordable departure times.
United & Frontier Step In—But At What Cost?
In the wake of Spirit’s financial uncertainty, United Airlines has announced plans to add service to 15 new cities starting January 6, including Orlando. But United is not a budget airline—so even though flights may become available, they won’t necessarily be cheap.
A United executive even acknowledged the disruption:
“If Spirit suddenly goes out of business, it will be incredibly disruptive, so we’re adding these flights to give their customers other options.”
Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines, another ultra-low-cost carrier, has absorbed some of Spirit’s dropped routes, but capacity and frequency are limited.
Spirit’s own comment on United’s move was sharp:
“While we appreciate the obsession certain airline executives have with us, we’re focused on competing and running a great operation.”
But behind the bold words, Spirit itself admits to having ‘substantial doubt’ about its ability to stay in business, blaming weak demand for leisure travel and tough market conditions.
Government Shutdown Adds More Travel Woes
Complicating matters further is the October 1 U.S. government shutdown, which—although not grounding flights—is straining TSA and customs operations. Employees like air traffic controllers and TSA agents are still reporting to work, but without pay, leading to slowdowns, longer lines, and reduced morale.
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Longer wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
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Delays in baggage and customs processing
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More unpredictable travel days for Disney visitors with tight schedules
And let’s face it: missing your Lightning Lane window for TRON Lightcycle / Run because your flight sat on the tarmac is not the magical start anyone wants.
What You Can Do
For those still planning trips to Walt Disney World this fall and winter, here are a few smart steps:
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Book flights early—prices are likely to go up as route options shrink
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Consider flying into Tampa (TPA) or Sanford (SFB) and driving to Orlando
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Build extra time into your travel day, especially during government shutdown delays
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Watch Frontier and Allegiant for low-fare alternatives, but compare connection times
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Bundle vacation costs with a package to help spread out rising prices
Between the collapse of budget air travel routes and federal travel disruptions, reaching the Most Magical Place on Earth just got a little more expensive—and a lot more complicated.
For families who depend on every travel deal to make a Disney vacation possible, Spirit’s retreat from these cities isn’t just an airline decision—it’s a direct hit to their ability to access the parks. And while a day at Magic Kingdom can still bring smiles and memories, getting there might not be so magical anymore.