Internet reacts to Spirit Airlines closure
Emotional posts flooded TikTok after Spirit Airlines announced the suspension and all remaining flights were cancelled.
As travelers affected by Spirit Airlines’ sudden closure deal with canceled flights and lost loyalty points, Papa John’s is offering free pizza as a consolation prize.
In a news release on Friday, May 8, the chain announced a limited-time promotion called “Sky to Pie,” where former Spirit Loyalty members can convert proof of their reward status into a free large one-topping pizza in response to the airline’s sudden bankruptcy.
“Loyalty points don’t mean much if you can’t use them,” said Shivram Vaideswaran, Papa John’s senior vice president of brand marketing. “While we cannot solve canceled flights or lost membership points, we hope to provide a smile and some delicious pizza to those affected.”
How customers claim offers
To participate, customers must send a direct message to @PapaJohns on Instagram, prove they’re a member of Spirit’s loyalty program, and provide a screenshot showing they’ve joined Papa Rewards.
The first 250 verified participants will receive a code for a free Large One-Topping Pizza while supplies last.
Papa John’s framed the promotion as a playful response to the disruption in the airline industry, promising “no blackout dates” and “no middle seats.”
Spirit Airlines suddenly suspends operations
The campaign comes just days after Spirit Airlines announced it would cease operations effective May 2.
The airline canceled all flights on its network and suspended customer service operations, leaving travelers stranded and unable to rebook directly through the airline.
“For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has been a pioneer in making travel more accessible,” Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis said in a statement announcing the closure. “The sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks has ultimately left us with no choice but to pursue an orderly wind down of our operations.”
Passengers across the country were forced to make costly last-minute changes to their travels as flights were canceled overnight.
The airline’s bankruptcy comes after years of instability, a bankruptcy filing, an engine recall issue that affected its fleet, and a failed merger plan between Frontier Airlines and JetBlue.
USA TODAY reporters Zach Wichter and Mike Snider contributed to this report.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT.
