Spirit Airlines Grows in Detroit With 15 New or Returning Routes

Updated: June 14, 2026, 8:57am CDT

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Table of Contents

New Spirit Routes Coming to DTW Starting in May
Spirit Takes Direct Aim at Delta
Final Thoughts

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Spirit Airlines is planning a significant expansion in the Motor City. The airline will add or resume a whopping 15 flights from Detroit (DTW), according to Ishrion Aviation, who reported the news on X.

Let’s take a look at the news.

New Spirit Routes Coming to DTW Starting in May

Spirit Airlines will boost flights from Detroit (DTW), according to reporting from Ishrion Aviation. Here’s the list of cities Spirit will start new service to:

Birmingham (BHM): 2 times weekly, beginning June 13, 2025
Hartford (BDL): Daily, beginning June 12, 2025
Louisville (SDF): 2 times weekly, beginning June 13, 2025
Milwaukee (MKE): 2 times weekly, beginning June 13, 2025
Norfolk (ORF): 4 times weekly, beginning May 8, 2025
Punta Cana (PUJ): 3 times weekly, beginning June 12, 2025
Richmond (RIC): 3 times weekly, beginning June 12, 2025
Salt Lake City (SLC): 3 times weekly, beginning June 13, 2025
St. Louis (STL): 4 times weekly, beginning June 12, 2025

Spirit Airlines at MCO — Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

Additionally, several routes are coming back into service, including Austin (AUS), Charleston (CHS), Kansas City (MCI), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and San Juan (SJU). These routes will resume between May and June.

“We’re adding even more popular travel options to our Detroit route map, giving our DTW Guests a variety of new destinations to discover across the country and beyond,” said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit. “Savvy Motor City travelers will soon enjoy even more options to enjoy Spirit’s elevated experience at a value unmatched by other carriers.”

This is the latest in a flurry of route additions from Spirit. Just a couple of weeks ago, it announced a handful of new routes from Charlotte (CLT) starting in May. Earlier this year, it launched nonstop service from a whopping 2 dozen U.S. and Caribbean airports. The airline also started 4-times-weekly service between San Antonio (SAT) and San Juan earlier this month.

Bottom Line:

Spirit has been busy since emerging from bankruptcy after filing for Chapter 11 protection last year. The airline continued flying during the proceedings — and even launched new routes — and emerged from the process by turning nearly a billion dollars of debt into equity.

Spirit Takes Direct Aim at Delta

Spirit’s expansion at DTW will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows, given Delta Air Lines’ hub operation at the airport. Delta already flies nonstop to every destination on this list, a sign that Spirit seeks to siphon away at least some Delta loyalists.

If Spirit does manage to lure Delta flyers, ticket costs will certainly play a role. For instance, a one-way Delta flight between Detroit and Salt Lake City costs $299 in basic economy in October.

Delta DTW to SLC — Image Credit: Google Flights

In contrast, the cheapest tickets on Spirit start at just $108 one-way.

There’s an even more significant price difference between Delta’s first class and Spirit’s Big Front Seat (its version of a domestic first-class seat, and available as part of a Spirit First fare). A Go Big fare costs just $248 one-way, while a first class seat on Delta will cost a whopping $700+. [Editor’s note: Spirit replaced its Go Big fare with Spirit Free in mid-2025].

Spirit DTW to SLC — Image Credit: Spirit.com

Final Thoughts

Spirit Airlines is expanding rapidly in Detroit, adding or resuming several U.S. and Caribbean routes. Most interestingly, though, is that rival Delta already serves most of these destinations. It’s a sign that Spirit wants a share of the market at DTW and is willing to offer lower fares to entice Delta loyalists.