Fast-growing Spirit Airlines expands to Charlotte

Spirit Airlines will make Charlotte, North Carolina, its newest destination.

The carrier will make its debut there on June 20, launching nonstop service to four destinations: Baltimore/Washington; Newark, New Jersey; and the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. (Scroll down for full schedule details)

“The North Carolina economy continues to thrive, and we are thrilled to add the state’s largest city, Charlotte, to our route network,” John Kirby, Spirit’s vice president of network planning, says in statement.

The new destination continues rapid expansion for Spirit, which has announced numerous new routes and destinations during the past several years.

In North Carolina alone, Charlotte will become Spirit’s fourth destination. It already flies to Asheville and Greensboro and will add a third city – Raleigh/Durham – in May.

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With Charlotte, Kirby tipped his hat to the carrier’s rapid expansion, saying Spirit is “happy to introduce our new Charlotte-area Guests to our substantial and growing list of domestic and international destinations.”

Charlotte is the second-busiest hub for American Airlines, the world’s largest airline. Spirit’s entrance to the airport will put it in direct competition against American, which – along with Delta and United – has tried to push back against encroaching budget airlines like Spirit with new “Basic Economy” fares to try to remain competitive for the most budget-conscious flyers.

The full schedule details of Spirit’s new routes is below:

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Baltimore/Washington

Daily service begins June 20.

Direct competition: American, Southwest.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Daily service begins June 20.

Direct competition: American. Also, Allegiant flies from Concord, North Carolina – about 15 miles from downtown Charlotte – to Fort Lauderdale.

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Newark, New Jersey

Daily service begins June 20.

Direct competition: American, United.

Orlando, Florida

Daily service begins June 20.

Direct competition: American, Frontier. Also, Allegiant flies from Concord, North Carolina – about 15 miles from downtown Charlotte – to Orlando’s secondary Sanford Airport.

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