What is Spirit 2.0? Travelers are collectively pooling cash to buy defunct budget airline — raising $88M so far
Spirit Airlines ceased operations after 34 years due to financial struggles exacerbated by rising fuel prices. In response, a grassroots campaign called 'Let's Buy Spirit' has emerged, aiming to collectively purchase and relaunch the airline as a cooperative. The initiative, started by voice actor Hunter Peterson, has garnered significant public interest with $88 million in non-binding pledges from over 124,000 people.
- ▪Spirit Airlines permanently shut down after 34 years due to financial difficulties linked to rising fuel prices.
- ▪Hunter Peterson launched the 'Let's Buy Spirit' campaign, which aims to turn the airline into a publicly owned cooperative.
- ▪Over 124,000 people have made non-binding pledges totaling $88,071,428 to fund the purchase of the airline.
- ▪The campaign's website crashed twice due to high traffic and currently has pledges disabled temporarily.
- ▪Peterson compared the proposed ownership model to the Green Bay Packers, with one vote per member and democratic governance.
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Travel What is Spirit 2.0? Travelers are collectively pooling cash to buy defunct budget airline — raising $88M so far By Brooke Steinberg Published May 4, 2026, 10:05 a.m. ET Spirit Airlines shut down for good this weekend after 34 years. BACKGRID They’re keeping the spirit alive. Spirit Airlines permanently shut down on Saturday after 34 years after a surge in fuel prices that impacted restructuring efforts, resulting in the cancellations of hundreds of flights and leaving customers wondering what this means for their future travel plans. However, a group of common folk on social media are coming together to save the airline with a movement called “Let’s Buy Spirit.” The website has already crashed twice due to an overwhelming response.
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