Forgive me for not mourning the recent collapse of Spirit Airlines, the company that turned flying into a fee-based nightmare. Due to rising expenses and billions in debt, Spirit abruptly ceased operations last Saturday, leaving thousands of customers stranded, unaware that the airline was about to shut down for good.
The Perfect Storm: Rising Costs and Geopolitical Crisis
Spirit had been struggling for years, but the situation worsened dramatically due to the soaring cost of jet fuel caused by the war in Iran and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which halted oil shipments. It was bad enough being the country's most ridiculed mode of transport, but now it costs even more to provide such poor service.
A Parent's Perspective on Modern Air Travel
As a parent who occasionally travels with a child, I cannot imagine making my journey more inconvenient, even for potential cost savings. We live in an era defined by post-9/11 security theatre, Covid-era health concerns, a TSA shutdown, and now flight prices surging due to the Strait closure. At this point, I would rather endure extreme discomfort than fly with my child unless absolutely necessary.
My eight-year-old son is capable of entertaining himself, but he is also adept at complaining about long waits, lines, bad food, spotty wifi, and strange smells—all the things that make the "friendly skies" what they are. He is not yet old enough to understand systemic inconvenience. Imagine that innocence on Spirit Airlines, an airline for the young, but not that young.
The Spirit Experience: A Lesson in Misery
I flew Spirit once on a dare during college. As advertised, services were minimal and amenities nonexistent. At most, they might spray you with water like a naughty cat to prevent fainting. I tolerated it because I was often drunk. Your twenties are a time when sleeping on a cold linoleum floor seems fine, and at least Spirit offered a seat. But that was about it.
Any joy from flying was sucked out by the voracious need for profit. Shockingly, making people actively unhappy is not a good business model. If I had to fly and could only afford Spirit, I would choose alternative travel arrangements—hitchhiking, sneaking into a cruise ship's cargo hold, shipping myself via UPS in a pine box, or being swallowed by a large whale.
Spirit's Legacy: Fee-Based Flying Becomes the Norm
In a way, Spirit was ahead of its time. It made everything about flying—checked baggage, food, drinks, seat assignments, legroom, wifi—a fee-based service. Now, most airlines do the same, finding new ways to monetize travel. But by not offering anything premium and charging for bare essentials, Spirit alienated customers willing to pay for comfort.
As the oil crisis continues without a breakthrough, flying may get worse. Airlines will either pass higher fuel costs to customers through raised fares or institute more Spirit-like money-making schemes. Will they charge per hour for the ineffective fans above seats? Will we have to buy Biscoff cookies on Delta instead of getting a second free one? Will barf bags be replaced with reusable Tupperware?
The Political Blame Game
The current administration hopes you don't see the connection between Middle East instability and the cost of flying to see grandma. Some blame Joe Biden, twirling his mustache from a volcano lair, for manipulating global oil trading. But that explanation fails for problems happening now, not three years ago. Donald Trump will likely keep trying.
A Valuable Lesson for the Next Generation
Perhaps the only benefit is that my son will learn a valuable lesson this summer. On our next trip, he will experience the new world he inherits: diminished services, interruptions, cancellations, and inhospitable conditions. He cannot just watch YouTube videos of monkeys combing their hair any longer. Welcome to the real world, kid. If you want ice in your drink, it will cost you.
