PR Newswire
Spirit Airlines’ efforts honor service members by enhancing access to legacy programs
DANIA BEACH, Fla., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Spirit Airlines (NYSE American: FLYY) continues to deepen its support for veterans and military families through the Spirit Charitable Foundation’s new and ongoing nonprofit partnerships that uplift U.S. service members and their loved ones. To advance the Foundation’s Service Members pillar, these initiatives empower America’s heroes to reconnect, reflect and thrive during their service and beyond.
“Our service members and their families commit a great sacrifice and service for all of us, and we’re proud to offer our gratitude and support,” said Linde Grindle, President of the Spirit Charitable Foundation and Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for Spirit Airlines. “With these incredible organizations, we help provide essential experiences and resources to those who have selflessly served our country.”
The Spirit Charitable Foundation commits to a variety of initiatives including flying veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service, underwriting complimentary museum access, reuniting military families with injured loved ones and maintaining a dedicated space at Broward College for veteran students.
South Florida Veteran Recognition Flights
As South Florida’s hometown airline, Spirit hosts special veteran recognition flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Spirit’s long-term partnership with Honor Flight South Florida allows the carrier to fly veterans to Washington, D.C., for a one-day mission to visit and reflect at the memorials dedicated to their service. The excursion includes roundtrip airfare, local transportation, meals and special touches to make the experience unforgettable.
Complimentary Admission to Art Museums
In partnership with the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, the Foundation sponsors free admission for veterans and their dependents through a $30,000 grant to the museum. Additionally, the Foundation partnered with MAD Arts in Dania Beach to offer free entry for active-duty military personnel to the museum on the first Thursday of every month from March through July 2025. These contributions fund access for service members to world-class exhibitions, research-based programs and a dedicated space for connection through creativity and culture.
Luke’s Wings
Spirit provides airfare for relatives of wounded service members through Luke’s Wings, a complimentary flight service for the families of injured military personnel. These reunions offer emotional aid during recovery by ensuring that loved ones are physically present with their recovering family member.
Veterans Lounge at Broward College
The Foundation, in partnership with Broward College in South Florida, recently supported the opening of the Spirit Veterans Lounge, a dedicated space for students who are serving or have served in our nation’s military. The space features comfortable amenities and aircraft portraits taken by Spirit Team Members to create a welcoming environment for student veterans to connect, study, relax and recharge.
Additionally, the Spirit Charitable Foundation has donated nearly $1 million to nonprofits supporting our service members since 2019 including the Broward Center Veterans Program, Panthers Warriors Hockey, Veterans Place, Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas, Soldiers’ Angels and more. To learn more about the Spirit Charitable Foundation, please visit foundation.spirit.com.
Spirit’s U.S. Military & Families Benefits
Spirit Airlines expanded its existing benefits for active-duty U.S. military service members in 2024 to include their spouses and children when traveling together. These benefits are available with a verified military ID and include two free standard checked bags, one free standard carry-on bag and the existing one free personal item per person. Families traveling under this policy are also offered complimentary priority boarding.
Spirit employs Team Members across its network who have served, or continue to serve, in the military. Service members touch every aspect of the airline’s business including Pilots and Flight Attendants, the Operations Control Center, airport managers, corporate team and more. Spirit also maintains a Veterans Resource Group and Allies (VRGA), which aims to raise awareness of Veteran Community experiences and provide educational opportunities to all Spirit Team Members.
About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (NYSE American: FLYY) is committed to safely delivering the best value in the sky by offering an enhanced travel experience with flexible, affordable options. Spirit serves destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean with its all-Airbus Fit Fleet®, one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S. Discover elevated travel options with exceptional value at spirit.com.
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SOURCE Spirit Airlines
