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Bankruptcy Hub
Welcome to the Bankruptcy Hub for Flight Attendants.
We understand that this is a challenging time, and we want to ensure you have easy access to the latest updates and information regarding the bankruptcy process. This Hub will serve as a central resource, providing you with timely news, important announcements, and answers to frequently asked questions as they become available.
We’re committed to supporting you with the information you need to navigate this process, and we encourage you to check back regularly for updates. Your well-being and understanding are our top priorities, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
We are compiling your questions as they come in and we are working to address them with management at our regularly scheduled meetings.
Submit your questions by emailing us: furlough@spiritafa.com
Latest Updates
Voluntary Furloughs
Voluntary Furlough Process (Section 16. B)
The voluntary furlough will be effective November 1, with six month and one year options.
While on VPF, you will continue to receive 50 approved credit hours toward health insurance for 2027.
Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough will be able to keep healthcare benefits at the same premium rates as active employees.
Flight Attendants currently on EVTO can bid for the voluntary furloughs.
At a minimum the bidding will be open until 12:00 EST of Monday, September 29th, thus allowing people have more time to talk with their families before making a decision.
It is important for those who are considering a voluntary furlough to recognize how flying may change after a furlough. Reserve coverage will go more senior, for example.
Involuntary Furloughs
Involuntary Furlough Process (Section 16. A)
Following award of the voluntary furlough, management will proceed with involuntary furlough in inverse order of system seniority up to the number announced in the WARN notices.
The involuntary furlough will be effective December 1.
A Flight Attendant on furlough shall retain the same medical, dental and life insurance on the same terms and at the same Flight Attendant contribution rates as Flight Attendants on active status for 90 days and on-line space available pass privileges for one year.
A furloughed Flight Attendant shall retain all seniority and longevity accrued prior to the time of furlough for a period not to exceed six (6) years. The Flight Attendant shall continue to accrue bid seniority while on furlough.
EVTOs
Flight Attendants currently on EVTO can bid for voluntary furloughs.
All remaining EVTOs may be cancelled after the voluntary furlough is counted. We are in the process of confirming this asap so you have the best information to weigh your options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here you will find frequently asked questions about the bankruptcy and furloughs. We are compiling your questions as they come in and we are working to address them with management at our regularly scheduled meetings.
Submit your questions by emailing furlough@spiritafa.com
Dues Obligation on Furlough
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Yes. Voluntary furlough is treated like the other various unpaid Leaves of Absence. You will remain Active with AFA and are responsible for dues for the first three months. The AFA-CWA database is coded so you are only billed for these 3 months and then the billing stops.
Example of the 90-day leave obligation:
Your voluntary furlough begins on November 1. You would owe dues for November, December and January. If dues are payroll deducted for any of these months, it will be applied to this 90-day leave obligation.
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No. Your status with AFA will be updated to Inactive and dues are not owed from the start of the involuntary furlough. The three month dues obligation does not apply when a Flight Attendant is involuntarily furloughed.
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Yes. A Voluntary Furlough is included in the various types of Leaves of Absence (LOA) or unpaid convenience leaves, which have many different names, as outlined in the various contracts at our airlines. The Flight Attendant remains Active with AFA and will be responsible for dues for the first three months, like the other unpaid leaves of absence.
Voting Eligibility
All Flight Attendants can view their membership status in the AFA Membership Hub. If you have not logged in yet you may request a welcome email via: www.afacwa.org/Hubhelp.
To be eligible to vote a Flight Attendant must be an Active Member in Good Standing. All three criteria must be met to be considered eligible. This means you must be actively flying or within the first 3 months your unpaid leave of absence (voluntary furlough.)
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Flight Attendants on unpaid leave whether it is voluntary leave or other contractual leaves (EVTO, VTO, OJI, Maternity etc.) are not eligible after the third month of leave,UNLESS they make themselves eligible in accordance with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws (C&B.)
The AFA C&B allows members who go on unpaid LOA to remain Active with AFA while on leave from their airline. This would require the member to notify AFA and continue to pay dues each month as if they were actively flying.
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Yes, during the first 3 months of any unpaid LOA a member remains Active with AFA and is eligible to vote as long as their dues account is in Good Standing.
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No. In accordance with the AFA C&B, those members who are involuntarily furloughed are inactive with AFA and cannot take part in any union activities including voting. The option to remain Active while on leave is not available for those who are involuntarily furloughed.
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In order to vote a Flight Attendant must be an Active Member in Good Standing. Delinquent balances must be paid in the AFA Membership Hub. www.afacwa.org/Hub
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Not automatically, you must notify AFA of your decision to remain Active with AFA and pay your dues from the start of your leave, February 2024, through December 2025.
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Not automatically, you must notify AFA of your decision to remain Active with AFA and pay your dues from the start of your leave, February 2025, through December 2025.
General FAQs
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The company’s financial position forced fleet reductions and network restructuring as part of the bankruptcy. This, coupled with the conditions of the bankruptcy, drives the need for fewer Flight Attendants.
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Voluntary Personal Furloughs (VPF) go into effect as of November 1, 2025.
Involuntary Furloughs go into effect December 1, 2025.
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In both cases furloughs are determined by system seniority, not by base. VPF is awarded in system seniority order, involuntary furloughs are done in inverse order of system seniority.
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Each Flight Attendant subject to furlough will be notified by email to their Company email address and by certified mail to their filed address with the Company.
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No, there are no plans to close any bases at this time.
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Currently, Spirit management does not plan to displace any Flight Attendants from their base.
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Currently, Spirit management is not offering early retirement or buyout packages.
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The intent of the VPF is to encourage as many senior Flight Attendants as possible to voluntarily take time away from work in order to create opportunities for more junior Flight Attendants to keep working. We will push the company to award as many voluntary furloughs as possible in order to reduce the number of involuntary furloughs required by management.
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A Flight Attendant on VPF shall retain employee insurance and travel benefits and must continue to pay any employee portion (the same as active status) of such benefits during the voluntary furlough period.
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A furloughed Flight Attendant shall receive pay for all vacation accrued up to the time of the (furlough) event.
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Flight Attendants who have seniority that is senior to those subject to involuntary furlough may be awarded a Voluntary Personal Furlough (VPF). Those subject to involuntary furlough will not be awarded a VPF.
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At the end of the awarded VPF period, unless you elect to bid for any VPF extension, you would return to duty. Unless management announces an additional number of furloughs, your return to work after six months will not mean someone else is subject to involuntary furlough.
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At the end of an awarded VPF, unless you elect to bid for any VPF extension that may be offered by the company, you will return to duty.
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VPFs return to duty at the end of their awarded VPF. In the event of a recall, Involuntary furloughs are recalled first. This would not impact the scheduled return of someone on VPF. Keep in mind, the Company is aware of the scheduled return of those on VPF.
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If there is a need for more furloughs at the end of your VPF, management must announce a new furlough and go through the voluntary offering prior to implementing any additional involuntary furloughs.
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Longevity: The period which begins on graduation from Initial Flight Attendant training and continues to accrue during active employment as a Flight Attendant. Longevity is used to determine pay scale and other benefits such as vacation.
Bid Seniority: Upon assignment to the line, a newly employed Flight Attendant shall have their bidding seniority date adjusted to the date of entering Initial Flight Attendant training. Bid seniority applies to what its called: bidding.
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Voluntary Personal Furlough (VPF)
Flight Attendants on VPF retain all seniority and longevity accrued prior to VPF.
Flight Attendants continue to accrue bid seniority while on VPF.
Flight Attendants continue to accrue longevity for ninety (90) days from the date of VPF.
Involuntary Furlough
Furloughed Flight Attendants retain all seniority and longevity accrued prior to the time of furlough for a period not to exceed six (6) years.
Flight Attendants continue to accrue bid seniority while on furlough.
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Yes, Flight Attendants on a leave of absence are subject to furlough.
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Yes
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Yes. While on VPF, you will continue to receive 50 approved credit hours toward health insurance for 2027.