Spirit Airlines has collapsed amid political blame-shifting between the Trump administration and Democrats over the budget carrier's failure. The Florida-based airline grounded its fleet and initiated liquidation after creditors rejected a government rescue package, becoming the first major American corporate casualty of the Iran conflict. Airlines including JetBlue began acquiring Spirit's most desirable routes, particularly those connecting to its Fort Lauderdale hub.

Spirit cited $100 million in extra jet fuel costs over the past two months due to the Iran war, which drove up jet fuel prices by 70%. The Trump administration blames the Biden administration for blocking Spirit's merger with JetBlue in 2024, claiming a combined carrier could have weathered the crisis. Democrats counter that the war itself and rising energy costs are the primary culprits.

Industry experts suggest both parties share responsibility for Spirit's demise. Large network carriers like United, Delta, and American had already undermined Spirit's business model by offering similar basic fares. Despite its distress, no US airline attempted to acquire Spirit after the JetBlue merger was blocked, suggesting Spirit was worth more to the industry dead than alive.