Watch a Spirit pilot's impromptu retirement celebration after airline shutters
Summary
Spirit Airlines shut down suddenly after failing to get an emergency bailout from the government. A Spirit pilot named Captain Jon Jackson, who planned to retire with one last flight for Spirit, instead flew home on a Southwest Airlines flight, which then held an unexpected retirement party for him.Key Facts
- Spirit Airlines failed to secure a federal bailout and stopped all operations immediately.
- Captain Jon Jackson, a Spirit pilot, planned to retire with a final Spirit flight on the day the airline shut down.
- Jackson ended up flying home to Baltimore on a Southwest Airlines flight with his son, who works for Southwest.
- Southwest pilots and staff arranged a surprise retirement celebration for Jackson upon arrival.
- Baltimore Airport Fire and Rescue greeted Jackson's plane with a traditional water cannon salute.
- Spirit Airlines promised automatic refunds to customers and set up a website to answer questions about the shutdown.
- Spirit's shutdown was due to financial problems worsened by rising fuel prices.
- The event showed the aviation community supporting one of their own during a difficult time.
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