Following a series of occurrences, certain promotional materials have found an unexpected home: Spirit Airlines.
Travelers often complain about budget airline Spirit's tiny seats, frequent delays, baggage fees, and lack of snacks and drinks. Yet, despite its ultrabudget ranking, Spirit Airlines has seen a shift in public opinion online. People have pointed out that Spirit has avoided major incidents like plane crashes experienced by American and Delta airlines and has an all-Airbus fleet. This shift in perception comes at a time when flight anxiety is rising, with Google searches for "Is it safe to fly?" spiking in the US.
Experts maintain that domestic travel in the US is generally safe, as all airlines must comply with strict regulations. However, this doesn't quell the fears of some passengers, like 31-year-old Natalie Haddad from Los Angeles. Despite the comparable prices, Haddad prefers Spirit over American, Delta, and United because it doesn't have any Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, following a Netflix documentary about crashes involving this model.
While other airlines, like Hawaiian Airlines and Qantas Airways, have never had a fatal plane crash, and JetBlue has a mostly Airbus fleet and loyal customers, the positive social media sentiment isn't as prevalent for these carriers as it is for Spirit. One TikTok video with over 700,000 views highlights Spirit's incident-free record and its prioritization of safe landings.
Still, Spirit isn't entirely free from mishaps. Last year, Spirit was one of three US-based airlines struck by bullets while flying over Haiti's capital. Federal Aviation Administrations regulations ensure all regularly scheduled air carriers operate under strict rules, and risk perception may play a significant role in heightening passengers' anxiety. The real danger is often lower than the perceived one, as objective risk for passengers flying in US domestic airspace is unusually low.
Spirit's future remains uncertain, having filed for bankruptcy due to financial losses and competition. Even though the airline aims to emerge from bankruptcy by the first quarter of 2025, the fate of discount flights is under review. Despite its challenges, Spirit Airlines has managed to maintain a positive public image due to its safety record and cost advantages.
Reuters reported that Spirit Airlines has avoided major plane crashes, setting it apart from competitors like American and Delta airlines. This safety record, coupled with its all-Airbus fleet, has led to a shift in public opinion towards the budget airline. Notably, Spirit does not operate any Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, which were involved in several crashes as highlighted in a Netflix documentary.
