The Black Internet Responds to Spirit Airlines’ Shutdown

The collapse of Spirit Airlines over the weekend—following a brutal cycle of two bankruptcies in two years—left flight crews jobless and travelers stranded. But as the budget airline officially grounded its fleet, the Black internet did what it does best: it went to work. From bittersweet eulogies for the $30 flight to ruthless memes about the airline’s chaotic legacy (and brawls), Twitter and TikTok was flooded with hot takes.

The Root previously told you that despite President Donald Trump offering to rescue the low-cost airline with an eye-watering $500 million rescue plan, discussions ultimately stalled, forcing Spirit Airlines to park their fleet. The news ran rampant online, accompanied by footage of eerily empty airport gates to Spirit flight attendants bidding farewell.

However, some wasn’t shocked at the announcement in the least bit. “Is it any surprise the Fubu of airlines has gone bankrupt,” one X user asked before the roasting reached a fever pitch.

One traveler joked that Spirit “would charge you for the air you breathe in flight if they could,” while another commented, “Spirit Airlines [would] let you go to Paris for $10 but you gotta fly the plane.” A third X user called the low-cost airline “the Nigga club of the sky,” while another said it was, “The only airline where ‘Spirit’ meant fight or flight.”

Another user shared a compilation of Spirit’s “greatest hits” that included footage of staff arguments, crews flinging luggage and passengers engaging in fisticuffs to commemorate the “end of an era.”

Even “Saturday Night Live” gave their two cents.

“Spirit Airlines permanently shut down— mid-flight,” Colin Jost said during the Weekend Update segment. “The airline stranded thousands of passengers at airports with no employees manning any of the check-in desks. Spirit said they were proud they were still maintaining their normal level of service.”

Back on X, one person called another budget-airline to the forefront upon Spirit’s demise.

While others were comparing the airline to “Soul Plane,” one X user shared a conspiracy theory that the government allowed Spirit to go under…because they had Black flight attendants.

“of course that’s what it always is this world doesn’t like to see black people thrive, especially not black Americans,” another commented. Over on TikTok, the conspiracies gained momentum, as one content creator suggested the shutdown was “a strategic plan.”

“Sooner or later, the only people who will really be able to enjoy life are middle class and upper class people; the poor won’t be able to do nothing but work. Just think about it: Spirit Airlines was one of the most affordable and cheapest airlines to take for people on a budget. Watch how they raise the prices of airplane tickets,” he added.

Folks in the comment section agreed, naming Carnival Cruises and Dollar Tree as the next stores to go under to “keep Black people down.”

While some were busy spinning conspiracy theories about the airline’s downfall, others were busy drafting eulogies for the chaos, roasting those legendary $32 flights from Atlanta to Miami.

The digital funeral peaked when one X user posted the ultimate RIP meme, featuring a Spirit aircraft ascending into the afterlife to join fallen legends. It was a chaotic reunion at the Pearly Gates: Spirit is now officially flying formation with Blockbuster, RadioShack and Circuit City, amongst others.

Spirit confirmed it has already processed automatic refunds for anyone who booked with a credit card, and other airlines are stepping up with fare caps and rescue flights, Reuters reported. But if folks are still upset, a new movement has been birthed: Spirit 2.0.

Hunter Peterson launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring back the Florida-based airline on TikTok. As of Monday, the site—which calls for the airline to now be “owned by the people”— had over $85 million pledges from nearly 125,000 people, according to NBC 6 South Florida.

The response to save Spirit Airlines has been so overwhelming, the website crashed.