Spirit Airlines shut down all operations on May 2, 2026. Customer service is no longer available, and baggage offices at airports are closed — leaving stranded passengers wondering how they're going to get their belongings.
If Spirit has your luggage, here's what you can do about it.
Your Rights If Spirit Airlines Has Lost Your Checked Bag
Normally, when airlines lose or delay your bag, they're liable for finding it and covering some of your costs in the meantime, according to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. But unfortunately, when an airline goes bankrupt, the usual rules no longer apply.
In the case of Spirit, passengers have reported arriving at airports to find Spirit's counters empty and offices physically locked, with no staff available and phone lines that go straight to a full voicemail. Some people haven't been able to rebook new flights because they're waiting for their bags to appear.
Spirit's normal claims process is dead, but you do have options.
1. Check Spirit's restructuring site
Spirit is directing all inquiries to spiritrestructuring.com. There, you can check the status of existing claims for lost baggage or lost and found items.
But given that Spirit no longer has a customer service team, it's unclear how this portal is being monitored for new claims. The fact that the link is still live despite everything else being taken down implies that it's still a working system, but to be sure, you'll probably want to go to step no. 2.
2. Contact Spirit's claims agent, Epiq
Spirit's claims agent, Epiq, is now handling customer inquiries in place of Spirit's customer service team. You can reach them at:
- Phone (U.S. and Canada): 855-952-6606
- Phone (International): 971-715-2831
- Email: [email protected]
3. Dispute the charge with your credit card
If you paid for your checked bag fee with a credit card, you can request a chargeback from your card issuer for services not rendered. Call the number on the back of your card and reference the Spirit Airlines shutdown on May 2, 2026.
Debit cards connected to Visa or Mastercard networks may also allow disputes — call your bank to ask about your options.
4. File a claim through your travel insurance
If you have a travel insurance policy or a credit card with built-in travel protections, this may be your best option. Many travel insurance policies won’t cover flight cancellations caused by bankruptcy, but lost/stolen baggage shouldn’t fall under this exclusion.
Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage. Check your card benefits to see what you’re entitled to.
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Tips for When Your Bags Get Lost or Delayed
Frankly, there isn't much you can do to stop your bags from getting delayed or to speed up the retrieval of a missing bag. But there are some steps you can take ahead of time to make your life easier if it does happen.
Pack essentials in your carry-on
To be a proactive traveler, always pack these in your carry-on:
- One change of clothes
- Essential toiletries
- Valuable items and documents
- Any medication you need
- Phone and laptop chargers
Having these items handy will ease the inconvenience when your bag is delayed. It doesn't fix the problem, but when a lot of your stuff is in limbo, it helps to have the basics with you.
Use tracking apps
You can drop an AirTag or similar tracking device into your checked bag to track it yourself. I do this every time I travel, so I know exactly where my bag is at all times!
FAQs
My bag was delayed before Spirit shut down and I never got it back. Is it considered lost now?
Almost certainly yes. With Spirit's operations fully ceased and no staff processing delayed bags, any bag that hadn't been returned to you by May 2 should be treated as lost for claims purposes. Document the original delay report and contact [email protected].
Can I sue Spirit for my lost luggage or canceled flight?
In theory, yes, but in practice, it's not worth pursuing as a first step. Once a company files for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect that blocks most individual lawsuits against it. Your claim would need to go through the bankruptcy court process. Save the legal route as a last resort if your claim is denied or ignored.
My bag has an AirTag in it, and I can see it's still at the airport. Who should I contact?
Contact the airport's lost and found or baggage services department. Airport staff may be able to access bags stuck in locked Spirit offices. Call the airport's main number and ask specifically about unclaimed baggage from Spirit. Having your AirTag location data and your original baggage claim ticket will help make your case.
TL;DR: Your Rights If Spirit Lost Your Bags
The situation with Spirit is still developing, and there's no clear timeline on when you'll be able to recover your stranded bags.
In the meantime, document everything you can — your baggage claim ticket, boarding pass, any confirmation emails from Spirit, and receipts for essentials you've had to purchase. This documentation will help if you decide to file an insurance claim.
I know how stressed you must be about your canceled flight and lost luggage, but know that you do have rights! My fingers are crossed for you!
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
