‘Let’s Buy Spirit’: Why Thousands Have Pledged $88M for Airline Campaign

What began as a TikTok joke has turned into one of the internet’s most emotionally charged grassroots campaigns of the year.In the days after Spirit Airlines abruptly shut down overnight, a viral online movement called “Let’s Buy Spirit” has drawn tens of thousands of supporters pledging millions of dollars in a bid to resurrect the budget airline under a community‑owned model. The campaign, launched by YouTuber and voice actor Hunter Peterson, has garnered roughly $88 million in nonbinding pledges as of Monday, despite overwhelming consensus among experts that the effort is unlikely to succeed.Newsweek reached out to Peterson for comment. While Spirit Airlines declined to comment, the company clarified that the campaign is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spirit Airlines in any way.Why It MattersWhile Spirit Airlines was often mocked for its fees and cramped seats, the larger reaction to its shutdown suggests that Spirit also played a major role in keeping air travel affordable for millions of people.Ultra‑low‑cost carriers like Spirit often place a powerful downward pressure on ticket prices across markets, even for passengers who never fly them directly. With Spirit gone, many travelers fear fewer cheap options and less competition....When Did Spirit Airlines Shut Down?Spirit Airlines