Spirit Airlines shut down its operations on May 2, 2026. Flights are cancelled, customer service is no longer available, and baggage offices at airports are closed.
If you managed to get your bags back, but they're damaged, here's what you can do about it.
Your Rights If Spirit Damaged Your Bag
Normally, when airlines damage your bag, they're liable for covering the cost of repairs or paying for a replacement, 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.
Spirit's normal claims process is dead, but you do have options.
How To Claim Damaged Baggage with Spirit
1. Check Spirit's restructuring site
Spirit is directing all inquiries to spiritrestructuring.com. There, you can check the status of refunds and existing lost baggage claims, as well as other issues.
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. File a claim through your travel insurance
If you have travel insurance, your policy may cover damage to your bags.
For example, Allianz Travel Insurance covers up to $2,000 per insured traveler for lost/damaged baggage, and World Nomads, which specializes in adventure travel (and equipment), covers up to $3,000.
Your credit card might also protect you. Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the more premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® will reimburse you up to $3,000 for repairing or replacing baggage that was lost or damaged by the airline.
Many travel insurance policies won’t cover flight cancellations caused by bankruptcy, but damaged baggage shouldn’t fall under this exclusion.
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How To Prevent Damage to Checked Bags
While airlines are legally obligated to compensate you for any damages to your bags, it’s better for it not to happen at all. Plus, no dollar amount can replace your favorite college hoodie if it gets torn up.
Here are some tips to prevent your bag from getting damaged in the first place:
- Don’t overpack. Stress on zippers and seams makes them more likely to break in transit.
- Don’t check an open bag. Maybe this is a no-brainer, but if your bag doesn’t close all the way, it’s not secure. Items inside will have a much higher likelihood of getting pulled, ripped, or otherwise damaged if your bag is partially open.
- Secure any loose straps. If your bag has straps or catches on the outside, take them off, tuck them in, or otherwise secure them before dropping it off. Straps can catch in the conveyor belt.
- Pack heavy items near the bottom. When you pack heavier things closer to the bottom of the bag, you’ll keep the center of gravity manageable for those who handle your bag, decreasing the likelihood of damage.
- Keep valuables in your carry-on. You’ll have more control over the safety of your laptop, briefcase, or other valuable items if you carry them with you on the plane.
- Don’t travel with worn-out bags. If your bag is already tearing at the seams, you won’t have much of a leg to stand on if the bag falls apart on your next trip.
- Consider a PVC luggage protector. There are TSA-approved luggage sleeves that are tough and durable for air travel. If you really want to keep your luggage pristine, you might want to invest in one.
My rule of thumb is to always snap a picture of my bag before I drop it off. If I get it back and there’s a new crack, I have evidence to prove the damage to the airline.
FAQs
My bag was damaged on a Spirit flight that landed before May 2. Do I still have a valid claim?
Yes. The date of your flight matters more than the date of the shutdown. If Spirit damaged your bag during a flight that operated before May 2, you have a legitimate claim regardless of when the airline ceased operations. Contact [email protected].
Spirit damaged an expensive item inside my bag, not the bag itself. Can I still claim for it?
Potentially, though it's more complicated. DOT regulations cover damage to the bag and its contents, but airlines tend to scrutinize high-value items closely. You'll generally need proof of purchase or value for the damaged item, and Spirit's pre-existing policy excluded fragile or inappropriately packed items.
Document the damage thoroughly with photos, gather any receipts or appraisals you have, and contact [email protected]. Your travel insurance or credit card coverage may be a more straightforward option.
I submitted a claim to Spirit before they shut down, but haven't heard back. What do I do?
Your claim may have gotten lost when Spirit's systems went dark. Contact Spirit's claims agent Epiq at [email protected]. Include any confirmation emails or reference numbers from your original claim as supporting documentation, since they establish that you reported the damage in good faith before the shutdown.
TL;DR: Spirit Airlines Damaged Bag Compensation
Spirit's shutdown means the standard damaged bag claims process no longer exists. Your best move is to contact Epiq — Spirit's bankruptcy claims agent — at [email protected].
Gather everything you have: photos of the damage, your baggage claim ticket, proof of purchase for the bag or its contents, and any repair quotes.
Or, if you have travel insurance or a credit card with baggage protection, those are likely your fastest and most reliable path to actual compensation.
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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.
