Spirit Airlines permanently ceased operations on Saturday after 34 years in business, but an unprecedented grassroots movement is attempting to resurrect the budget carrier through collective ownership. The campaign, dubbed 'Let's Buy Spirit,' has already generated significant momentum, with more than 124,000 prospective investors pledging an unverified total of $88,071,428.
The airline's closure followed a surge in fuel prices that derailed restructuring efforts, resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations and leaving customers uncertain about their travel arrangements. However, the shutdown has sparked an unusual response from ordinary travelers who believe the airline can be saved through community ownership.
From Social Media Post to Movement
The initiative was launched by Hunter Peterson, a social media user and voice actor, who posted the concept on Saturday. Peterson's proposal centers on a straightforward calculation: with more than 250 million individuals over the age of 18 in the United States, if just 20 percent of that population contributed approximately $30 to $40 each—roughly the average cost of a Spirit Airlines ticket—the funds would be sufficient to purchase the airline.
'We nationalize Spirit Airlines, owned by the people,' Peterson proposed in his initial video.
The response proved overwhelming. Approximately 2.5 hours after his post, Peterson launched the website letsbuyspiritair.com to allow interested parties to register their intent to participate. The site has crashed twice due to the volume of traffic, and Peterson created an Instagram account for the movement, @spiritair2.0, which has accumulated 157,000 followers.
The Cooperative Model
The proposal draws inspiration from an existing model in professional sports. Peterson likened the movement to the Green Bay Packers, the only community-owned franchise in the National Football League, with 360,000 ordinary people owning shares. Under the proposed structure, pledge holders would become co-owners of the airline, with each member receiving one vote regardless of their investment amount.
'This is the Green Bay Packers model: democratic governance where no single member can dominate the direction of the airline,' the website states. 'Decisions on major matters — routes, leadership, strategic direction — are made collectively by the membership.'
The minimum pledge is set at $45, representing the cost of one ticket. The website emphasizes the urgency of the effort, noting that 44 million Americans flew Spirit in 2024 and that private equity firms are 'already circling the wreckage.'
'Before they lock it up — there is a narrow window for something that has never happened in commercial aviation,' the website declares. 'The passengers, the workers, and the communities Spirit served can take it back.'
Challenges and Reality
Peterson has acknowledged the substantial obstacles facing the initiative. Despite the millions pledged, he recognizes that the actual cost of purchasing an airline and restarting operations will reach into the billions of dollars. He posted a video requesting assistance from aviation lawyers, public relations experts, and other professionals who can help advance the movement.
'I know what I don't know,' Peterson stated, while emphasizing his commitment to the effort. 'I'm learning this in real time. This started as a joke, and it went out of control.'
Currently, no money is being collected. The pledges are non-binding expressions of intent rather than actual financial commitments. Due to the recent site crashes, pledge functionality has been temporarily disabled, though interested individuals can still browse the website. Full pledge functionality is expected to return within 24 to 48 hours, with updates posted on the SpiritAir2.0 Instagram page.
The movement represents an unprecedented attempt in commercial aviation history. Whether the initiative can overcome the substantial legal, financial, and operational hurdles required to acquire and operate a major airline remains uncertain. However, the rapid mobilization of more than 124,000 potential investors demonstrates significant public interest in alternative ownership models for essential transportation services.