United Adds Flights as Spirit Faces Uncertain Future

United Airlines is boosting its schedule to 15 cities starting January 6, 2026, in anticipation of potential disruption if Spirit Airlines collapses amid its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The move adds capacity across United’s network to give travelers more options should the ultra-low-cost carrier abruptly halt operations.

“If Spirit suddenly goes out of business it will be incredibly disruptive, so we are adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances.

The expansion includes additional daily round-trips from Houston Intercontinental to Orlando, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore and Miami, as well as extra flights from Chicago O’Hare to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans and Las Vegas. United will also add frequencies from Newark to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, plus new routes from Newark to Columbia, SC and Chattanooga, TN. Internationally, Houston will see new weekly flights to Guatemala City, San Salvador and San Pedro Sula.

Spirit filed for its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August and is discontinuing service at 11 U.S. markets from October 2, 2025, while negotiating with lessors and reviewing fleet size.

In a statement responding to United’s move, Spirit said it remains focused on “competing and running a great operation,” dismissing suggestions of imminent collapse as “wishful thinking” from a high-cost airline hoping to eliminate a low-cost rival. Industry analysts say United’s move signals preparation for major shifts in the U.S. airline market.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com