Low-cost Spirit Airlines is resuming nonstop service between Austin and Detroit — the heart of the U.S. automotive industry — after abandoning the route in 2023.
Spirit will operate the Austin-Detroit route four days a week starting June 12, airline spokeswoman Cameryn Junck tells CultureMap. The flights will be available on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Previously, the airline flew between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport from 2019 to 2023, according to the Simply Flying website.
Spirit will join Delta Air Lines in providing nonstop flights between Austin and Detroit. Detroit is one of Delta’s hubs.
Cities that already have Spirit’s nonstop service from Austin are:
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Los Angeles, California
- Newark, New Jersey
- Orlando, Florida
Spirit has recently experienced severe financial troubles. In early March, the airline exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after restructuring about $795 million in debt and securing $350 million in funding from investors.
“We’re pleased to complete our streamlined restructuring and emerge in a stronger financial position to continue our transformation and investments in the [guest] experience,” Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and CEO, said earlier this month.
“Throughout this process,” he added, “we’ve continued to make meaningful progress enhancing our product offerings, while also focusing on returning to profitability and positioning our airline for long-term success. Today, we’re moving forward with our strategy to redefine low-fare travel with our new, high-value travel options.”
To improve its offerings, the airline recently introduced four new service tiers, from the high-end Go Big level to the basic Go level.
The formal conclusion of Spirit’s bankruptcy case follows failed merger attempts. In March 2024, Spirit and JetBlue canceled their planned $3.8 billion merger. Meanwhile, Spirit has rejected purchase offers from Frontier Airlines. Most recently, Spirit declined a $2.16 billion acquisition bid from Frontier.
