If you’ve been following the news lately, then you already know Spirit Airlines has ceased operations — and whew… the aviation industry has been in absolute chaos ever since.
My inbox?
FULL.
And one question keeps coming up over and over again from aspiring Flight Attendants:
“Does this mean I no longer stand a chance?”
Or…
“Why would an airline hire me with no airline experience when there are thousands of former Spirit Flight Attendants applying now?”
First of all…
Take a breath.
Because while I completely understand why this situation feels intimidating, I also think there’s a lot of misinformation and fear floating around right now that needs to be addressed honestly.
So let’s talk about it.
First — My Heart Truly Goes Out To Spirit Employees
Before we get into strategy, I want to acknowledge something important.
Thousands of people just lost their jobs.
That includes:
- Flight Attendants
- Pilots
- Gate agents
- Ramp workers
- Mechanics
- Customer service agents
- Corporate employees
Many of these people dedicated YEARS to aviation.
Some relocated for this career.
Some built their entire lifestyle around their seniority.
Some are now scrambling trying to figure out healthcare, bills, schedules, and what comes next.
So if you’re an aspiring Flight Attendant reading this, I think it’s important to lead with empathy first.
Because this industry can change FAST.
But Here’s The Truth Nobody Is Talking About…
Not every former Spirit employee is going to immediately jump back into aviation.
And I think that’s the part many aspiring Flight Attendants are missing.
A lot of people outside the industry assume:
“Well obviously every Spirit Flight Attendant is just going to apply somewhere else.”
But aviation isn’t that simple.
Training Is Brutal
People romanticize this job online, but Flight Attendant training is HARD.
It’s emotionally exhausting.
Mentally draining.
Sleep-depriving.
And in many cases… unpaid.
Some former Spirit employees may not have:
- the savings
- emotional bandwidth
- stability
- childcare
- mental energy
…to immediately jump into another 4–8 week unpaid training program after unexpectedly losing their income.
Especially because many airlines require you to:
✔️ relocate temporarily for training
✔️ start over from the bottom
✔️ rebuild seniority from scratch
And in aviation?
Seniority is EVERYTHING.
Seniority Impacts Your Entire Quality Of Life
Your schedule.
Your holidays.
Your base.
Your trips.
Your flexibility.
Your pay opportunities.
Everything.
Some former Spirit employees had YEARS invested into building their schedules and quality of life.
Starting over at another airline means:
- reserve life again
- commuting again
- low seniority again
- potentially lower pay again
- rebuilding everything from scratch
That’s emotionally hard.
And honestly?
Some people may decide this industry no longer aligns with the life they want.
Others may pivot careers entirely.
Some may take time off.
Some may burn out.
Some may absolutely continue in aviation and become amazing hires elsewhere.
But the idea that every Spirit employee instantly becomes your direct competition?
That’s simply not reality.
So… Will Airlines Pick Former Spirit Employees Over You?
Sometimes?
Yes.
And sometimes?
No.
Here’s what aspiring Flight Attendants need to understand:
Airlines are NOT only hiring based on previous airline experience.
If that were true, no one would EVER break into aviation.
Airlines still heavily hire people from:
- hospitality
- healthcare
- education
- retail
- serving/bartending
- customer service
- corporate roles
- management
Why?
Because airlines hire for:
✔️ personality
✔️ emotional intelligence
✔️ safety mindset
✔️ professionalism
✔️ adaptability
✔️ conflict resolution
✔️ customer experience
—not just previous wings.
I’ve personally seen applicants with NO aviation experience get hired over people with airline backgrounds because they interviewed better, aligned better culturally, or simply presented themselves more strategically.
Experience matters.
But it is NOT the only thing that matters.
Here’s What WILL Make You Stand Out
This is where many aspiring Flight Attendants go wrong.
They focus too much on what they LACK instead of strategically highlighting what they ALREADY bring to the table.
Airlines do not need another robotic applicant reciting:
“I’m passionate about customer service.”
They hear that all day long.
They want candidates who can demonstrate:
✔️ composure under pressure
✔️ professionalism
✔️ teamwork
✔️ communication
✔️ confidence
✔️ warmth
✔️ situational awareness
The applicants who stand out are usually the ones who:
- understand airline culture
- tailor their resumes properly
- interview strategically
- prepare thoroughly
- know how to tell compelling stories
That’s why I constantly tell people:
Aviation experience is NOT the same thing as aviation positioning.
Those are two completely different things.
Timing Matters More Than People Realize
Another thing aspiring Flight Attendants need to understand is timing.
Hiring needs fluctuate constantly.
One airline may prioritize experienced candidates during one hiring cycle…
…and focus more on personality hires during another.
This industry changes FAST.
That’s why I always encourage people not to self-reject before airlines even have the chance to evaluate them.
Because you genuinely do not know what a recruiter may connect with in your application or interview.
My Advice? Don’t Panic. Prepare.
I know social media has many aspiring Flight Attendants spiraling right now.
But honestly?
This is not the time to panic.
This is the time to:
✔️ strengthen your resume
✔️ prepare for interviews
✔️ understand airline culture
✔️ improve your storytelling
✔️ position your experience strategically
Because regardless of competition…
prepared candidates always have an advantage.
Final Thoughts
To my Spirit family:
My heart truly goes out to you. Aviation can be such a beautiful career, but moments like this remind us how quickly things can change. I genuinely hope those who want to remain in the industry land somewhere they feel valued and supported.
And to aspiring Flight Attendants:
Please don’t count yourself out.
This industry still needs:
- strong communicators
- warm personalities
- adaptable professionals
- people who genuinely care about others
You do not need a perfect background.
You do not need airline experience.
And you do not need to be fearless.
You just need to prepare strategically and stop assuming you’re already disqualified before you even apply.
Your wings may still be much closer than you think.