Air travel was already miserable. Now we get to pay more for it! | Dave Schilling

"Spirit Airlines shut down abruptly last Saturday, stranding thousands of customers who were unaware that an entire business meant to transport them through the sky was about to shutter for good. Spirit was struggling for years, but it all got so much worse due to rising expenses and billions of dollars in debt. The shutdown left travelers without the service they expected, turning planned trips into immediate disruptions and uncertainty."

"Spirit was struggling for years, but it all got so much worse thanks to the soaring cost of jet fuel caused by the war in Iran and the crisis in the strait of Hormuz that halted the shipment of oil. It was bad enough being the country's most ridiculed mode of conveyance outside of the Segway. But now it costs even more to suck that badly, as fuel price pressures feed into higher travel costs."

"We're living through times defined by post-September 11 security theatre, Covid-era health concerns, a TSA shutdown, and now flight prices surging thanks to the strait closure. At this point, I'd rather be rolled up in a filthy rug and beaten with crowbars than even consider flying with my child unless absolutely necessary. The combination of systemic delays and rising prices makes air travel feel persistently hostile to families."

"My son is eight, so at least he's not the infinite sobbing toddler and can entertain himself. But he is also very capable of complaining about long wait times, lines, bad food, spotty wifi, strange smells. AKA all the things that make friendly skies what they are. He's not quite old enough to understand that things can and will be inconvenient, that more often than not, life is full of minor issues that are so systemic that it's not even worth commenting on."

Spirit Airlines ceased operations abruptly due to rising expenses and billions of dollars in debt, leaving thousands of customers stranded. The airline had struggled for years, and conditions worsened as jet fuel costs increased. Fuel costs rose amid war-related disruptions and a crisis affecting oil shipment through the Strait of Hormuz. Travel already faced multiple burdens including heightened security procedures, health concerns, and TSA disruptions. Flight prices surged as a result of the strait closure, making flying more inconvenient and costly. The experience is portrayed as especially difficult for parents traveling with children, involving long waits, lines, poor amenities, unreliable connectivity, and unpleasant conditions.

Read at www.theguardian.com