Spirit Opens Up New Route To Central America Despite Continued Downsizing

Spirit Airlines has touched down in Belize City after launching its non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale. This marks the airline’s sole service to the Central American country. While Spirit Airlines has been making headlines due to financial pressures putting a question mark over its future, the carrier has expanded to Belize, and is the only operator to fly between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).

The flight is set to operate three times a week, and is operated by the carriers’ Airbus A320 aircraft. This marks the 24th international destination for the carrier from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The route is expected to be popular for sun seekers, looking to make the most of the beautiful beaches, climate, and culture that Belize has to offer.

Non-stop To Belize

Passengers are able to make the most of this route to Belize, from across the United States, thanks to the extensive network of flights operated from FLL by Spirit, with the flights timed to match up to connect to up to 19 of the carriers’ services from FLL. Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines, Andrea Lusso, explains:

“Adding Belize City to our international route map is a great win for our Guests, and we thank the airport and the community for such a warm welcome to this one-of-a-kind destination.”

Three Times A Week

The new flights are set to depart from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport three times weekly, taking off in each direction on Monday, Friday, and Saturday. The outbound service will have passengers there in no time, with a total flight duration of two hours and ten minutes, while the return block time sits at two hours and five minutes. The flight is scheduled to operate year-round.

Onboard, the airline will offer three travel options for customers, including its premium offering to cater to higher-value customers. Big Front Seat (Spirit First) will offer travelers a larger seat, priority check-in, boarding, and more, while Premium Economy, in a Premium Seat, with extra legroom and a blocked middle seat, will cater to the middle market. Finally, those looking for the best bang for their buck can purchase a Value fare, which provides them the bare minimum, with the option to add extras such as checked or carry-on bags, meals, and seat selection. The flight schedule between FLL and BZE is as below:

While Spirit is currently under immense financial pressure, the airline is still expanding its operations in Florida, with a new route to Key West having launched on November 6, and Grand Cayman set to get airborne from December 4.

US Bound Flights From BZE

Belize City, and the nation of Belize in general, is served primarily by Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). The airport is located 30 minutes from the Belize City center, and is named after local politician Philip S. W. Goldson. The airport is popular for sun seekers looking to stretch out on the beach during the Northern Hemisphere winter season, and sees an extensive US network operate year-round and seasonally.

American carriers operating to Belize include Alaska Airlines (year-round to Los Angeles, seasonal to Seattle), American Airlines (year-round to Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami, seasonal to Charlotte), Delta Air Lines (year-round to Atlanta, seasonal to Minneapolis/St. Paul), JetBlue (year-round to New York JFK), Southwest Airlines (year-round from Houston Hobby, seasonal to Baltimore and Denver), Spirit Airlines (now to Fort Lauderdale), Sun Country Airlines (seasonal to Minneapolis/St. Paul), and United Airlines (year round to Houston Intercontinental, seasonal to Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco).

Other carriers at the airport include Air Canada Rouge and WestJet with seasonal services to major Canadian centers, while Copa Airlines maintains non-stop flights to Panama City, TAG Airlines to Guatemala City, Tropic Air with flights to domestic and Mexican destinations, and Maya Island Air with local domestic flights.