Allegiant Adds Nonstop Chattanooga–FLL Flights After Spirit Exit

(CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE) Allegiant Air will restore direct service between Chattanooga and Fort Lauderdale on February 12, 2026, four months after Spirit Airlines ends all Chattanooga flights on October 4, 2025 amid its second Chapter 11 filing in less than a year. The move closes a sudden gap in South Florida access for local travelers, who briefly enjoyed nonstop options when Spirit launched service to Fort Lauderdale, Newark, and Orlando in June 2025 with aggressive fares. Allegiant’s entry brings a $49 introductory one-way fare, a clear signal that the airline intends to keep leisure travel affordable while stabilizing air links that many families, small businesses, and seasonal visitors rely on.

Spirit’s Exit and Market Impact

Spirit’s exit is sweeping. It includes every Chattanooga route the carrier launched this summer, most notably the nonstop to Fort Lauderdale that drew strong interest from South Florida-bound flyers. On August 29, 2025, Spirit told customers and airport officials it would withdraw from Chattanooga entirely, effective October 4, citing restructuring needs tied to its financial setbacks.

• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the retreat is part of a broader pullback across 11 U.S. cities as the ultra-low-cost carrier trims routes to slow cash burn and focus on larger stations.
• The immediate effect is a four-month gap in nonstop Chattanooga–Fort Lauderdale service between October 4, 2025 and February 12, 2026.

The gap forces travelers to connect through other hubs or consider alternative airports for South Florida travel, placing added burdens on families, small businesses, and seasonal visitors.

Who’s Stepping In: Allegiant and United

Allegiant Air and United Airlines will both fill different parts of the void left by Spirit.

Allegiant Air
– Restores CHA–FLL nonstop service on February 12, 2026.
– Launches with a $49 introductory one-way fare.
– Already serves Chattanooga with flights to Orlando and other leisure markets.
– Business model: focuses on underserviced communities, point-to-point scheduling on peak travel days, and low base fares with optional add-ons.

United Airlines
– Begins a new nonstop from Chattanooga to Newark (EWR) on January 6, 2026, operating five days a week (no Tuesday or Saturday service).
– Provides a direct feed into a major East Coast hub with broad domestic and international connections.
– While not replacing Spirit’s South Florida route, it preserves a nonstop to the New York metro area and offers a one-stop path to Fort Lauderdale and Miami via Newark.

Short-Term Traveler Options and Advice

During the four-month gap, flyers should plan for alternatives and weigh total travel time and cost.

• Many travelers will:
  • Connect through other hubs.
  • Drive to Atlanta or Nashville for direct South Florida flights.
  • Book one-stop itineraries from Chattanooga with longer travel times.

Practical tips:
1. Read Spirit’s cancellation notice carefully and confirm whether refunds are automatic or require a request.
2. Compare one-stop options from Chattanooga with nonstop choices from nearby airports, including total travel time and full cost (bags, seat fees).
3. When Allegiant posts February and March inventory, set price alerts and book early for peak weekends and school breaks—promotional fares will be limited.
4. For United’s Newark route, consider whether a single-connection itinerary saves time versus driving to another airport for a nonstop.
5. If refund problems arise, review DOT guidance and file a complaint if needed—keep receipts and timelines.

Official Guidance and Links

For official updates, bookings, and consumer protections, check:
– U.S. Department of Transportation Air Consumer Protection resources: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer
– Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport: https://www.chattairport.com
– Allegiant Air reservations and info: https://www.allegiantair.com
– Spirit Airlines booking and cancellation pages: https://www.spirit.com

Airport and Community Reaction

Airport leaders have acted quickly to steady the market.

• April Cameron, CEO of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, welcomed Allegiant’s investment as a practical step to keep leisure travel within reach and bring visitors back to the region.
• Airport messaging emphasizes continuity: although Spirit will depart, Chattanooga will regain direct South Florida connectivity with Allegiant and gain a Newark link via United shortly after.
• The tone aims to calm travelers and reassure businesses that the city remains connected to key leisure and business destinations.

Local business response:
– Consulting firms, manufacturers, and tech startups are recalibrating travel policies to allow more connection time or consider driving staff to other airports.
– Tourism operators expect a late-fall and early-winter dip in inbound visitors, followed by a rebound when Allegiant begins service.
– Hotels, restaurants, and event venues anticipate improved weekend traffic beginning in February.

Market Dynamics and Airline Strategies

Analysts say Spirit’s rapid retreat highlights the pressures ultra-low-cost carriers face: rising costs, tight margins, and intense fare competition.

• Spirit’s June 2025 push into Chattanooga (Fort Lauderdale, Newark, Orlando) depended on sustained demand, dependable aircraft availability, and pricing power—factors complicated by bankruptcy.
• Allegiant’s strategy—adding a single, high-demand route with a low entry fare—reduces risk for both the airline and the airport.
• United’s Newark route addresses a different need: hub connectivity for business travelers and connections to domestic and international destinations.

Industry pattern:
– Legacy carriers and hybrids often backfill capacity left by ultra-low-cost retreats.
– Markets trade frequency for reliability and a more measured schedule approach.

What to Expect for Service Levels and Costs

Customer experience will differ by carrier:
– Allegiant: fewer weekly flights, simple point-to-point itineraries, low base fares with optional add-ons.
– Spirit: similar unbundled model but will leave Chattanooga on October 4.
– United: fuller service and a larger network; fares typically reflect higher service levels.

Advice for cost-conscious travelers:
– Include bags, seat selection, and change fees in comparisons.
– Consider flexibility in travel days (midweek often cheaper).
– Book early for spring break and peak weekends to secure promotional fares.

Longer-Term Outlook

Chattanooga’s near-term service plan:
– January 6, 2026 — United nonstop to Newark begins (five days/week).
– February 12, 2026 — Allegiant nonstop to Fort Lauderdale resumes.

If both routes perform:
– Allegiant may add frequency or adjust aircraft size cautiously.
– United may expand days if business demand grows.
– Steady bookings will encourage carriers to maintain and potentially grow service.

The early 2026 lineup suggests Chattanooga could emerge with a more stable, right-sized network after the summer surge and sudden retreat.

Human Impact

The departure and subsequent reshuffle affect many residents:
– Parents visiting relatives in Broward County must add travel time or shift trips until February.
– College students and seasonal workers may face higher costs or longer travel days until Allegiant’s fare structure activates.
– For many, nonstop flights mean certainty; Allegiant’s return aims to restore that certainty for South Florida trips.

Final Takeaways

• Spirit’s quick launch-and-exit underscores the vulnerability of small markets when ultra-low-cost carriers face financial stress.
• Allegiant’s $49 introductory fare signals a stable, budget-minded return for Fort Lauderdale service starting February 12, 2026.
• United’s Newark nonstop (starting January 6, 2026) restores a Northeast hub connection and supports business and leisure travel.
• Travelers should monitor official channels, book early for peak travel, and factor in the full cost of travel (fees, connections) when comparing options.

Airport officials urge continued checking of official sources for updates as schedules firm up. The combination of Allegiant’s leisure-focused approach and United’s hub connectivity aims to balance Chattanooga’s network after a turbulent few months.