Spirit Airlines has launched its first international flights from Orlando International Airport and is opening a new crew base for the pilots and flight attendants who will operate those routes.
The new crew base opens on Dec. 1 and will begin with 150 crewmembers. This facility supports Spirit’s broader expansion at Orlando International, which also includes the creation of 150 airport service positions. The airline plans to add several hundred additional onboard jobs in the Orlando area in the coming spring.
“Orlando is the perfect location for our new crew base and our international expansion,” said Bob Fornaro, chief executive officer of Spirit Airlines. “We’ve served more than 22 million guests in our 25 years in Orlando. We’re excited to continue our historic expansion here and to create hundreds of jobs in the community.”
Phil Brown, chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, emphasized the local impact: “Spirit Airlines’ growth in the Central Florida region is evident with their increased domestic and international flight schedules. Now, with the addition of a Spirit crew base at Orlando International Airport, they further solidify their commitment to our community.”
Last month Spirit began operating new international services from Orlando to several destinations, including Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN); Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA); Panama City, Panama (PTY); and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ). Additional routes from MCO are scheduled to start in the coming months, expanding travel options for both leisure and business travelers and strengthening Orlando’s role as an international gateway.
The new crew base and expanded route network are part of Spirit’s ongoing strategy to grow its presence in major U.S. markets and increase connectivity to Latin America and the Caribbean. For Orlando, the expansion brings not only more travel choices but also a meaningful boost in employment opportunities across both ground and in-flight operations.
As Spirit continues to add flights and personnel, travelers departing from Orlando can expect more nonstop options, competitive fares, and increased frequency on key international and domestic routes. The airline’s investment in a local crew base will also contribute to operational efficiency and reliability as the schedule grows.
Orlando International Airport’s role as a hub for leisure and international travel aligns with Spirit’s route-planning goals, making this an important market for the airline’s continued development. The added jobs and services aim to benefit the region’s economy while offering travelers expanded access to destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.