United Airlines has recently unveiled its expanded winter schedule, featuring new routes that parallel those of Spirit Airlines. The move comes amidst increasing concerns about the financial future of Spirit, which recently filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year. This development led United Airlines to take steps to offer an alternative to Spirit's customers.
United's recent announcement included expansions in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Columbia, S.C., - both destinations served by Spirit. Senior Vice President of United's global network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle addressed the issue stating that the potential downfall of Spirit would have significant consequences on their customers. United's intention is to provide these customers with options if needed.
However, Duncan Dee, Spirit's Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, dismissed these claims as an attempt by United to oust a low-cost competitor from the market. Spirit's parent company, Spirit Aviation Holdings, assures customers about its continuity after receiving bankruptcy court approval to continue operations.
United’s move comes shortly after Frontier Airlines, another rival of Spirit, branded itself as "America's Low Fare Airline" and added 20 new routes, 16 of which are in Spirit's significant locations such as Baltimore, Detroit, and Houston.