Spirit, which is based in Miramar, Florida, has canceled more than 3,600 flights this year, or 1.5% of its schedule. That is lower than the 2% cancellation rate at Frontier Airlines, a similar budget carrier, and rates for JetBlue Airways and United Airlines. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press.

Spirit Airlines historically has a cancellation rate that fluctuates between 1.5% and 2.5%, which is slightly higher than legacy carriers like Delta but comparable to other "Ultra Low-Cost Carriers" (ULCCs). In July 2025, Spirit's cancellation rate was recorded at approximately 1.9%. While this number seems low, the "impact" of a Spirit cancellation is often more severe because they have a smaller fleet and fewer daily flights on specific routes; if your flight is cancelled, you might not be rebooked for 24 to 48 hours. In early 2026, the airline has shown improvement in "on-time" arrivals, though it still ranks in the bottom third for overall reliability compared to major US airlines. Travelers are often advised to book the first flight of the day to minimize the "knock-on" effect of delays. Despite the reputation for disruptions, Spirit remains a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers who are willing to trade some reliability for significant savings on airfare, provided they have a backup plan for emergencies.