Spirit Airlines to recall furloughed pilots to combat attrition as carrier eyes bankruptcy exit

Spirit Airlines is calling back all furloughed pilots after higher-than-expected attrition has strained its operation, according to a company memo, which was reviewed by CNBC.

The budget carrier said late last month that it plans to further cut its schedule and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late spring or early summer. It was the airline’s second bankruptcy filing in less than a year.

Spirit Airlines furloughed hundreds of pilots in 2024 and 2025 to save millions of dollars and to match a smaller operation than the budget carrier used to operate. But pilots also chose to leave the airline, many for other carriers, leaving Spirit short on staffing.

“Pilot attrition has been higher than forecast, making precise alignment between staffing and the reduced schedule more challenging,” the airline told employees in a memo last week. “While these recalls won’t arrive in time to support the spring break—Easter period, they strengthen the foundation of our post-bankruptcy future.”

Spirit confirmed that on Monday, it sent notices to about 500 pilots who were involuntarily furloughed between Sept. 1, 2024, and Nov. 1, 2025, to call them back to work as “we continue to make adjustments to meet the evolving needs of our business.”

Last month, Spirit similarly said it would recall furloughed flight attendants.