Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations
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Effective today, Spirit Airlines is no longer in business. Why would I put this notice on my Nikon photography blog? I have always enjoyed the color of their planes, a bright green (almost florescent green) which makes for interesting photos I think.
On there website today, they posted the following message:
It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately. To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available. We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 33 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come.
When I first purchase the Nikon Z8 in 2023, I took it out for some test shots. As always, off to the Boise airport I went. On that partly cloudy day, a Spirit Airlines was on final approach. I happen to be standing in the perfect location to capture a few shots of the remaining last seconds of it’s flight before touching down onto runway 28 left.
Nikon Z8 with the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
On another occasion in 2024, I caught another Spirit Airlines on final into BOI on a clear evening. This time with a native mirrorless lens as indicated below.
Nikon Z8 with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Z TC-1.4x lens
I have never flown Spirit but now I wish I did since there will be no opportunities in the future to do so. Let me know in the comments below (no sign in required) if you have ever flown Spirit and if so, what your experience was like.
Today, I received the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 mirrorless lens. Considering that it’s not a S line lens, the build quality is pretty good. It’s light and the lens hood is not too big or too small. I would say overall, the design has a pleasing esthetic compact look.