{"id":178774,"date":"2025-09-09T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=178774"},"modified":"2025-09-10T12:14:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T12:14:31","slug":"united-and-spirit-airlines-clash-over-business-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2025\/09\/united-and-spirit-airlines-clash-over-business-model.html","title":{"rendered":"United and Spirit Airlines Clash Over Business Model"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tensions between United Airlines and Spirit Airlines <\/strong>reached a new level this Tuesday when United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, openly questioned the viability of his competitor’s low-cost business model. The comment, made during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, triggered an immediate response from the Florida-based airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA Failed Experiment,\u201d According to United<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kirby described the ultra-low-cost model as “an interesting experiment” that, in his opinion, has already failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It seems unlikely that Spirit can keep flying because their customers don’t want to fly with them,” he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The declaration raised alarms at a critical time for Spirit, which last month filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in a year. The previous restructuring attempt failed to stabilize its finances, weakening its position in an increasingly competitive market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 Delta, United sued for selling windowless \u201cwindow seats\u201d<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spirit’s Immediate Rebuttal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through a message posted on X, the company responded forcefully: “Our customers love our low fares and our premium products. Maybe that’s why United executives can’t stop talking about us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline dismissed Kirby’s predictions as “wishful thinking” and assured that it expects to remain operational “for many years to come.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United’s Strategy: Seizing the Opportunity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, United has made a move to capitalize on the uncertainty. Last week, it announced the sale of tickets to 15 cities where Spirit currently operates, aiming\u2014according to the company itself\u2014to offer alternatives to passengers in case the low-cost carrier ceases operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drastic Adjustments at Spirit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In an effort to reduce losses, Spirit has initiated a selective retreat from markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n