Spirit Airlines will add nonstop flights from Philadelphia International Airport beginning in May.
In what appears to be head to head competition with ultra-low fare competitor Frontier, Spirit will launch service from Denver to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport beginning in February. Both airlines appear primarily to leisure travelers.
In May, Spirit will offer flights four days a week from Philadelphia International Airport to New Orleans. The flights will be on a seasonal basis. A new $1 billion terminal is now scheduled to open in May at the airport.
Frontier offers flights to New Orleans from its hometown of Denver as well as Philadelphia. Frontier Airlines flights typically operate a few times a week. American Airlines offers daily nonstop service to the Crescent City.
Spirit earlier announced flights between New Orleans and Austin, TX in February 2019.
“New Orleans’ popularity as a destination for both fun and business has contributed to Spirit’s growth here over the last five years,” said Mark Kopczak, Spirit’s vice president of Network Planning. “In 2014, Spirit flew to New Orleans from one city with one daily flight, and with this new service, Spirit is expanding to serve nearly 20 cities nonstop with an average of 17 flights per day.”
“Spirit has been an outstanding partner to MSY, and we are grateful to see them continuing to bring ultra-low fares to the New Orleans market,” said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for the New Orleans Aviation Board. “Spirit is our fastest growing airline, and with this week’s announcement of 3 new flights, they will now serve 19 nonstop destinations from MSY.”
The airline offers low base fares and then adds on charges for luggage, seat assignments and other features.
Spirit operates nonstop flights to New Orleans from 19 cities.
Like Frontier, Spirit has been working to improve its performance. Spirit has outlined its efforts at InvestInTheGuest.com.
