We’re devoting this episode to the two stories on the front page of this week’s Travel Weekly: The Spirit Airlines shutdown and a megadeal to acquire American Express Global Business Travel.  

First we’ll talk with aviation editor Robert Silk about the closure of Spirit Airlines, which has been a fascinating company to watch and cover over the last two decades. From small airline to low-cost powerhouse, it was a game changer, but over the last couple of years it’s been suffering, and finally this month the clock ran out. We’ll be talking about that timeline and what happened to Spirit's business model. 

In the second half of our podcast we talk with our retail editor Jamie Biesiada about a surprise transaction that involves another powerhouse: American Express GBT. The plan is a purchase by an AI-driven investment firm that would take the TMC private, so we’re talking here about AI, the biggest travel agencies, human vs agentic interactions and the current appetite for corporate travel. 

This episode was recorded in two parts, on Wednesday May 6 for Spirit and Friday May 8 for Amex GBT.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares https://www.tourismcares.org

Related links:

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines halts operations amid financial struggles and high fuel prices https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-Airlines-halts-operations

How ultralow-cost carrier Spirit Airlines revolutionized the airline industry https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Ultralow-cost-pioneer-Spirit-revolutionized-airline-industry

Transportation secretary opposes federal aid for budget airlines https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-secretary-against-federal-aid-for-budget-airlines

American Express Global Business Travel

Long Lake Management to acquire American Express GBT for $6.3 billion https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-acquire-American-Express-GBT

AI-focused firm is a surprise buyer for Amex GBT -- and its deep data https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Corporate-Travel/Long-Lake-Management-surprise-buyer-Amex-GBT

American Express GBT deal coverage from Business Travel News https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Intelligence/Long-Lake-Agrees-to-Take-Amex-GBT-Off-Market-in-6-3B-Deal