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Spirit Airlines May Be Gone, But These 3 Airlines Have Cheap Deals That Are Just as Good

Spirit was the airline everyone swore they’d never fly again, right up until they saw that $42 ticket and suddenly didn’t mind packing one backpack and a little patience. As flight prices kept climbing, Spirit Airlines became the go-to for travelers who cared more about getting there cheap than getting there in style.

Now that the airline is out of the picture, it’s fair to wonder if those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fares went with it. With airfare costing what feels like a monthly utility bill these days, cheap getaways can seem like a thing of the past. But don’t start mourning budget travel just yet, because there are still a few airlines keeping low-cost flights alive, even if you have to dig a little to find them.

Read on to see which airlines are keeping low fares on the map.

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Frontier Airlines

Where it flies: Frontier serves more than 120 destinations, mostly across the U.S., with routes to vacation spots in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

If Spirit was your go-to for cheap flights, Frontier is probably the closest replacement. Current one-way base fares on many domestic routes are typically $24 to $79, with some sale fares dropping even lower on select dates. That’s about as close as it gets to the old Spirit playbook: a super-cheap ticket upfront, then extra charges for just about everything else. The big draw is that it often matches Spirit’s rock-bottom pricing … but, sadly, its uncomfortable seating too.

Allegiant Air

Where it flies: Allegiant focuses on about 120 destinations, mostly linking smaller U.S. cities to leisure hubs like Las Vegas, Orlando and beach destinations around the Southeast.

Allegiant can be a sleeper hit for bargain hunters, especially if you live near a smaller regional airport. The airline’s recent base fares commonly fall between $38 and $92 one way, particularly on nonstop vacation routes like Fort Lauderdale and Myrtle Beach. It doesn’t offer as many daily flights as Spirit once did, but that trade-off can be worth it when you skip a major airport and still land a fare that feels suspiciously cheap. Like Spirit, bags and seat selection add up fast, so the best deals are for travelers packing light.

Breeze Airways

Where it flies: Breeze serves more than 60 destinations across the U.S., with a focus on direct routes between midsize cities that larger airlines often ignore.

Breeze is the newer player, having opened in 2018, but it’s becoming a favorite for travelers who want Spirit-like prices but not a flight that feels quite as stripped down. Intro and sale fares on current routes often start around $39 to $99 one way, depending on the market. Its cheapest option, the No Flex Fare, includes just one personal item that fits under the seat, so it’s best for travelers who can squeeze a weekend’s worth of clothes into a backpack and avoid the extra bag fees.

While it may not be available everywhere, Breeze tends to offer a nicer onboard experience than Spirit, with more legroom and fewer horror-story reviews. If Spirit was the cheapest option but also a gamble, Breeze can feel like the slightly more polished cousin.

Can you get a decent deal on any of the big airlines right now?

You can still score solid deals on the major airlines, but those crazy Spirit-era $39 fares are pretty much a thing of the past. Airlines like United, Jet Blue and Delta do run sales regularly, but they usually come with a catch. Think midweek departures, red-eye flights or those easy-to-miss promo windows.

Take Delta, for example. Right now, the airline is offering vacation packages with up to $250 off, plus extra perks for SkyMiles Amex cardholders, like 15% off award flights and added savings on certain Europe trips booked by late May. United has a similar mix of deals: discounts on car rentals, lower fares for younger travelers and vacation packages that can knock hundreds off the total. If you’re a MileagePlus member, you’ll usually see better award pricing too.

The best strategy now is to shop around a little. I usually start with Google Flights to quickly see where prices are dropping, then head to the airline’s own site, because sometimes it’s a little cheaper there. It’s also worth checking Expedia or Booking.com just in case a flight-and-hotel bundle ends up being the better deal.

The short version: The deals are still out there—they’re just not as obvious as they used to be. You can still save, but it takes a little more scrolling, and a little more luck, than it did a few years ago.

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Breeze Airways: “Our Story”
  • Reddit: “Frontier’s Awful Seats”
  • Yahoo Finance: “Allegiant Travel (ALGT) Announces New Nonstop Routes With Fares Starting At US$39”
  • Delta: “Top Vacation Package Deals & Offers”

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