Travel expert Angel Castellanos gave crucial tips for travelers, whether they are in New Orleans or Rome.Click the video above for a full breakdown of his tips and the live interview with WDSU anchor Aubry Killion. Castellanos said the Spirit Airlines collapse could have broader consequences for the U.S. airline industry. With fewer carriers competing for travelers, he said, prices are likely to rise.He also warned that flights to Europe could become more expensive this summer as airlines respond to fuel market fluctuations and instability tied to tensions involving Iran. Travelers may also continue to see canceled flights, particularly on routes serving secondary cities or requiring tight connections, because airlines tend to protect their strongest nonstop and most profitable routes first.Castellanos said travelers heading to Europe should also be aware of the new entry/exit system, which adds biometric checks and digital border processing. While the system is meant to modernize arrivals and departures, he said it is likely to slow travel in the short term, putting travelers with tight connections at greater risk.He added that spontaneous travel is becoming more difficult in 2026, with timed-entry tickets now the norm at major attractions such as the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Louvre. Popular tickets and tours, including early-morning and last-entry options, can sell out months in advance.Despite the challenges, Castellanos said Europe remains a worthwhile destination. He said travelers looking for value are increasingly prioritizing location, exclusivity, service and time savings over flashy extras.Airlines offering rescue fares:With Spirit shutting down and canceling all flights, many airlines are helping stranded passengers with rescue fares.United Airlines:”For Spirit customers who had tickets to fly between May 02, 2026 and May 16, 2026, we’re capping fares on most one-way United flights where Spirit also flew.”Click here to learn more.Delta Airlines:”If Spirit’s shutdown affected your travel plans, we’re here to help. We’re offering reduced, nonrefundable rescue fares for the next five days across domestic routes (nonstop and one-stop via our hubs) and routes between the U.S. & Latin America.”JetBlue:”To assist stranded customers with imminent travel to and from cities we serve, we’re offering $99 one-way fares for travelers with proof of a valid Spirit itinerary for the same route for travel through May 6, 2026* on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes that were operated by Spirit as of April*. If you’re stranded, call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss your situation.In addition, to help keep prices from increasing as availability changes, we’ve capped Blue Basic fares at $299 or less on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes to and from Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) and San Juan, PR (SJU) that were also operated by Spirit as of April*. These fare caps apply to new bookings made through May 8, 2026, for travel between May 2, 2026 and May 8, 2026.*For travel within the United States on routes flown by JetBlue and Spirit, rescue fares and fare caps include government-imposed taxes and fees, where applicable. For San Juan, PR and international travel on routes flown by JetBlue and Spirit, special fares are in place but might be higher due to additional local government taxes and fees imposed. Additional baggage fees and other optional service charges may apply. Fare rules, including change/cancellation policies, may also apply. JetBlue-operated flights only.”Southwest:”Southwest Airlines is prepared to assist travelers affected by disruptions related to Spirit Airlines’ cessation of operations. Customers holding Spirit reservations may only access special Southwest fares at Southwest ticket counters at their departure airport for eligible routes through 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 6.For domestic travel, these fares will be offered for flights where Southwest provides overlapping service, based on ticket mileage:1-500 miles: $200501-1,000 miles: $3001,000+ miles: $400For international flights, Southwest will also offer discounted rates. In addition, Spirit Customers who hold Spirit Silver or Gold Status can enjoy the benefits of A-List with the airline’s status match program.”American Airlines:”The American Airlines team is doing everything we can to support Spirit Airlines customers and team members affected by Spirit’s immediate wind-down of operations. We are in touch with the Administration, including the Department of Transportation, on steps we are taking to help mitigate the impact on the communities Spirit serves and the traveling public.To help customers whose travel may be disrupted, we immediately put rescue fares into place on Spirit routes where American also offers nonstop service. American serves 70 of the 72 airports Spirit presently serves, and 67 of the specific routes Spirit currently operates. We are also reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity — including utilizing larger aircraft and adding flights on critical routes — to support as many affected passengers as possible.Spirit Airlines customers looking to book travel on American are encouraged to book directly through the American Airlines app or on aa.com.American is working to provide transportation for Spirit team members who have been displaced on a work trip. In addition, we look forward to welcoming qualified Spirit team members to American. We will have a microsite on jobs.aa.com this weekend for Spirit team members interested in joining the American Airlines team and will hold recruiting events in the coming weeks.We recognize this is a difficult moment for the Spirit Airlines team and the airline’s customers, and American stands ready to assist however we can.”Frontier:”Frontier Airlines today announced systemwide rescue fare discounts and is also offering a $199 GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass to support travelers affected by Spirit Airlines’ end of operations, helping customers maintain access to low fares.Frontier currently serves more than 100 routes previously flown by Spirit and will expand further this summer with nine additional routes, plus 15 additional daily flights across 18 former Spirit markets, giving customers more options to rebook their travel plans with confidence while keeping fares low.“Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people,” said Bobby Schroeter, Frontier’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We recognize this is a difficult time for their customers and team members. Frontier is making discounted fares available to help people keep their travel plans and maintain access to low fares.”To support impacted travelers, Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares* across its network for travel through November 19. Customers can book by May 10 at FlyFrontier.com or on the Frontier mobile app using promo code SAVENOW. Travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday qualifies for a 50% base fare discount with a 21-day advance purchase, while other days of week are eligible for a 10% discount with no advance purchase required. Certain blackout dates apply.Frontier is also offering its 2026 GoWild Summer Pass for just $199**, providing access to unlimited flights across the airline’s network through the summer.To learn more about the GoWild Summer Pass, click here.”
Travel expert Angel Castellanos gave crucial tips for travelers, whether they are in New Orleans or Rome.
Click the video above for a full breakdown of his tips and the live interview with WDSU anchor Aubry Killion.
Castellanos said the Spirit Airlines collapse could have broader consequences for the U.S. airline industry.
With fewer carriers competing for travelers, he said, prices are likely to rise.
He also warned that flights to Europe could become more expensive this summer as airlines respond to fuel market fluctuations and instability tied to tensions involving Iran.
Travelers may also continue to see canceled flights, particularly on routes serving secondary cities or requiring tight connections, because airlines tend to protect their strongest nonstop and most profitable routes first.
Castellanos said travelers heading to Europe should also be aware of the new entry/exit system, which adds biometric checks and digital border processing. While the system is meant to modernize arrivals and departures, he said it is likely to slow travel in the short term, putting travelers with tight connections at greater risk.
He added that spontaneous travel is becoming more difficult in 2026, with timed-entry tickets now the norm at major attractions such as the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Louvre. Popular tickets and tours, including early-morning and last-entry options, can sell out months in advance.
Despite the challenges, Castellanos said Europe remains a worthwhile destination. He said travelers looking for value are increasingly prioritizing location, exclusivity, service and time savings over flashy extras.
Airlines offering rescue fares:
With Spirit shutting down and canceling all flights, many airlines are helping stranded passengers with rescue fares.
United Airlines:
“For Spirit customers who had tickets to fly between May 02, 2026 and May 16, 2026, we’re capping fares on most one-way United flights where Spirit also flew.”
Click here to learn more.
Delta Airlines:
“If Spirit’s shutdown affected your travel plans, we’re here to help. We’re offering reduced, nonrefundable rescue fares for the next five days across domestic routes (nonstop and one-stop via our hubs) and routes between the U.S. & Latin America.”
JetBlue:
“To assist stranded customers with imminent travel to and from cities we serve, we’re offering $99 one-way fares for travelers with proof of a valid Spirit itinerary for the same route for travel through May 6, 2026* on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes that were operated by Spirit as of April*. If you’re stranded, call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss your situation.
In addition, to help keep prices from increasing as availability changes, we’ve capped Blue Basic fares at $299 or less on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes to and from Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) and San Juan, PR (SJU) that were also operated by Spirit as of April*. These fare caps apply to new bookings made through May 8, 2026, for travel between May 2, 2026 and May 8, 2026.
*For travel within the United States on routes flown by JetBlue and Spirit, rescue fares and fare caps include government-imposed taxes and fees, where applicable. For San Juan, PR and international travel on routes flown by JetBlue and Spirit, special fares are in place but might be higher due to additional local government taxes and fees imposed. Additional baggage fees and other optional service charges may apply. Fare rules, including change/cancellation policies, may also apply. JetBlue-operated flights only.”
Southwest:
“Southwest Airlines is prepared to assist travelers affected by disruptions related to Spirit Airlines’ cessation of operations. Customers holding Spirit reservations may only access special Southwest fares at Southwest ticket counters at their departure airport for eligible routes through 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 6.
For domestic travel, these fares will be offered for flights where Southwest provides overlapping service, based on ticket mileage:
- 1-500 miles: $200
- 501-1,000 miles: $300
- 1,000+ miles: $400
For international flights, Southwest will also offer discounted rates. In addition, Spirit Customers who hold Spirit Silver or Gold Status can enjoy the benefits of A-List with the airline’s status match program.”
American Airlines:
“The American Airlines team is doing everything we can to support Spirit Airlines customers and team members affected by Spirit’s immediate wind-down of operations. We are in touch with the Administration, including the Department of Transportation, on steps we are taking to help mitigate the impact on the communities Spirit serves and the traveling public.
To help customers whose travel may be disrupted, we immediately put rescue fares into place on Spirit routes where American also offers nonstop service. American serves 70 of the 72 airports Spirit presently serves, and 67 of the specific routes Spirit currently operates. We are also reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity — including utilizing larger aircraft and adding flights on critical routes — to support as many affected passengers as possible.
Spirit Airlines customers looking to book travel on American are encouraged to book directly through the American Airlines app or on aa.com.
American is working to provide transportation for Spirit team members who have been displaced on a work trip. In addition, we look forward to welcoming qualified Spirit team members to American. We will have a microsite on jobs.aa.com this weekend for Spirit team members interested in joining the American Airlines team and will hold recruiting events in the coming weeks.
We recognize this is a difficult moment for the Spirit Airlines team and the airline’s customers, and American stands ready to assist however we can.”
Frontier:
“Frontier Airlines today announced systemwide rescue fare discounts and is also offering a $199 GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass to support travelers affected by Spirit Airlines’ end of operations, helping customers maintain access to low fares.
Frontier currently serves more than 100 routes previously flown by Spirit and will expand further this summer with nine additional routes, plus 15 additional daily flights across 18 former Spirit markets, giving customers more options to rebook their travel plans with confidence while keeping fares low.
“Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people,” said Bobby Schroeter, Frontier’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We recognize this is a difficult time for their customers and team members. Frontier is making discounted fares available to help people keep their travel plans and maintain access to low fares.”
To support impacted travelers, Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares* across its network for travel through November 19. Customers can book by May 10 at FlyFrontier.com or on the Frontier mobile app using promo code SAVENOW. Travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday qualifies for a 50% base fare discount with a 21-day advance purchase, while other days of week are eligible for a 10% discount with no advance purchase required. Certain blackout dates apply.
Frontier is also offering its 2026 GoWild Summer Pass for just $199**, providing access to unlimited flights across the airline’s network through the summer.
To learn more about the GoWild Summer Pass, click here.”
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