# Which airlines will take control of the takeoff and landing slots at LaGuardia that were held by Spirit Airlines prior to their May 2026 bankruptcy?

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## Forecast

Top outcome: Frontier Airlines at 54.5%. Other leading outcomes: Southwest Airlines: 23.1%; JetBlue Airways: 20.9%; Other airline(s): 18.7%; American Airlines: 10.7%.

Generated: June 17, 2026 at 10:33 PM UTC
Forecast model: gpt-5.5
Research model: gpt-5.5

## Analysis

## TL;DR
Frontier is the best answer; Southwest and JetBlue are the only strong listed alternatives.

## Context
Spirit announced an immediate wind-down on May 2, 2026, with all flights canceled, leaving its LaGuardia rights unused ([Spirit wind-down statement](https://www.spiritrestructuring.com/resources/Spirit-Airlines-Begins-Orderly-Wind-Down-of-Operations.pdf)). The live process is a court-supervised sale: Spirit filed bidding procedures for remaining assets on May 27, final LGA slot bids are due June 30, the auction is set for July 9, and approvals are expected to be obtainable by July 17 ([Stretto docket summary](https://chapter11cases.com/blogs/news/from-reorganization-to-wind-down-spirit-airlines-moves-to-auction-its-remaining-assets)). Judge Sean Lane approved Spirit’s process to market the LaGuardia slots on June 10 ([Bloomberg Law](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/spirit-airlines-wins-court-approval-to-market-laguardia-slots)).

The package is small but scarce. Public reporting and FAA holder data describe 22 LaGuardia slots, not 22 daily round trips; The Points Guy translates 22 takeoff/landing slots into roughly 12 daily flights, and says Spirit valued the package near USD 87 million ([The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-laguardia-slots/)). The sale is not just a bankruptcy auction. FAA confirmation is needed for transfers, and the Port Authority has argued that slots have little practical value without airport-facility permission ([Federal Register LGA order](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10298/operating-limitations-at-new-york-laguardia-airport); [The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-airlines-port-authority-laguardia-flight-sale/)).

## Evidence
The historical backbone points toward low-fare or limited-incumbent carriers. In the 2011 Delta–US Airways slot swap, DOT/FAA required Delta and US Airways to divest 16 LaGuardia slot pairs in two bundles; only carriers with less than 5% of slots at the airport and no disqualifying codeshare could bid, JetBlue won one LaGuardia bundle, and WestJet won the other ([U.S. DOT](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/jetblue-westjet-gain-slots-laguardia-reagan-national-airports)). In the 2013 American–US Airways settlement, DOJ required 34 LaGuardia slots and related facilities to be divested to DOJ-approved low-cost-carrier purchasers, with preference for airlines that did not already operate a large share of slots or gates ([DOJ](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-requires-us-airways-and-american-airlines-divest-facilities-seven-key)). The most direct prior transaction is the 2023 JetBlue–Frontier agreement: JetBlue agreed to transfer all Spirit LaGuardia holdings to Frontier, mainly six Marine Air Terminal gates and 22 takeoff and landing slots, subject to Port Authority and FAA/DOT approval ([JetBlue/Frontier press release](https://news.jetblue.com/latest-news/press-release-details/2023/JetBlue-and-Frontier-Announce-Divestiture-Agreement-in-Connection-with-JetBlues-Combination-with-Spirit/default.aspx)).

The current regulatory signal is also pro-low-fare. The FAA’s LGA order, effective October 27, 2024 through October 24, 2026, keeps 71 scheduled operating authorizations per hour, imposes an 80% use rule, allows leases and trades only with written FAA confirmation, and lets FAA retire or reallocate withdrawn, surrendered, or unassigned authorizations ([Federal Register LGA order](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10298/operating-limitations-at-new-york-laguardia-airport)). FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said on May 28, 2026 that the Spirit slots should go to a low-fare airline if that serves the public good, and that the slots could be retired if they cannot be transferred to such a carrier ([AirlineGeeks](https://airlinegeeks.com/2026/05/28/faa-chief-spirits-slots-at-laguardia-should-go-to-another-low-cost-carrier/)). I read that as a real approval constraint, not just a preference.

The latest pre-shutdown FAA holder snapshot I found is the Summer 2025 LGA holder total, generated December 5, 2025, with status date 2025. It excludes FAA-held slots and slots held fewer than five days, and counts FAA slots rather than round-trip pairs ([FAA Summer 2025 LGA holder totals](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data/doc/LGA_S25_Slot_HOLDER_TOTALS.pdf)).

| Holder | LGA slots held |
|---|---:|
| Delta Air Lines | 511 |
| American Airlines | 327 |
| United Airlines | 94 |
| Southwest Airlines | 57 |
| Air Canada | 43 |
| JetBlue Airways | 31 |
| Spirit Airlines | 22 |
| WestJet | 16 |
| Republic Airways | 15 |
| Alaska Airlines | 12 |
| Endeavor Air | 9 |
| Frontier Airlines | 4 |

That table cuts sharply against Delta and mostly against American. Delta already dominates LGA, and American is the second-largest holder. Frontier’s holder count is tiny. A separate FAA Summer 2025 operator report showed Frontier actually operating 10 LGA slots and Porter operating 6, so Frontier already has a small operating footprint and Porter is a live Other airline path ([FAA Summer 2025 LGA operator totals](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data/doc/LGA_S25_Slot_OPERATOR_TOTALS.pdf)). Current trade reporting says Frontier is widely considered a strong candidate, while American, JetBlue, and Southwest could also bid; it also describes Porter as a dark horse and flags Delta’s antitrust risk ([The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-laguardia-slots/); [The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-airlines-port-authority-laguardia-flight-sale/)).

Frontier has the best combined score: it is the cleanest low-fare replacement, it previously negotiated for the exact package, it has little LGA concentration, and it is already the largest schedule responder to Spirit’s collapse. Aviation Week’s June 16, 2026 OAG-based analysis says Frontier added about 1.3 million seats year over year across former Spirit markets for June-August 2026, while JetBlue added more than 500,000 seats ([Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/analysis-spirits-exit-drives-growth-frontier-jetblue)). Frontier can also afford the package in a narrow balance-sheet sense: it reported USD 974 million of total liquidity as of March 31, 2026 ([Frontier Q1 2026 earnings release](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1670076/000167007626000049/frontier_earningsreleasexq.htm)). I still keep Frontier near 55%, not 70%, because no final bid or stalking-horse buyer has been reported, and Southwest, JetBlue, American, and Porter all have plausible strategic reasons to pursue at least part of the asset.

My model uses four paths: 65% for a single-buyer bankruptcy sale, 25% for a split or structured sale, 5% for an FAA/Port Authority-led reallocation after a sale problem, and 5% for retirement or no counted airline allocation before the deadline. In the single-buyer path I put Frontier at 52%, Southwest 15%, JetBlue 13%, American and Other airline(s) 8% each, United 2%, and Delta and Alaska 1% each. The split and regulator-led paths give multiple airlines a chance to receive at least one pair, which is why the final probabilities sum to more than 100%.

## What's non-obvious
The obvious read is that the richest bidder wins. That is wrong. The FAA must approve transfers in writing, the Port Authority controls usable airport facilities, and the FAA chief has publicly framed the public-interest answer as a low-fare carrier or possible retirement ([Federal Register LGA order](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10298/operating-limitations-at-new-york-laguardia-airport); [AirlineGeeks](https://airlinegeeks.com/2026/05/28/faa-chief-spirits-slots-at-laguardia-should-go-to-another-low-cost-carrier/); [The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-airlines-port-authority-laguardia-flight-sale/)). That makes Delta, American, and United less likely than their balance sheets suggest.

The other underpriced point is that Frontier is not just a generic budget airline. It is the carrier that already had a signed agreement for all of Spirit’s LGA holdings, including the Marine Air Terminal gates and the same 22 slots ([JetBlue/Frontier press release](https://news.jetblue.com/latest-news/press-release-details/2023/JetBlue-and-Frontier-Announce-Divestiture-Agreement-in-Connection-with-JetBlues-Combination-with-Spirit/default.aspx)). Southwest has precedent and money, and JetBlue has the New York network motive, but Frontier has the best mix of regulatory fit, prior diligence, and low-fare optics.

## Limitations
The main gap is bidder identity. Final bids are not due until June 30, 2026, the auction is scheduled for July 9, and the approval deadline is July 17, so sealed bidder information could easily overturn the current public signal ([Stretto docket summary](https://chapter11cases.com/blogs/news/from-reorganization-to-wind-down-spirit-airlines-moves-to-auction-its-remaining-assets)).

The second gap is terminology. The FAA data and most reporting count 22 individual operating authorizations, while the question says slot pairs; this affects how many commercially viable bundles can be split, but not the airline ranking ([FAA Summer 2025 LGA holder totals](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data/doc/LGA_S25_Slot_HOLDER_TOTALS.pdf); [The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-laguardia-slots/)). The third gap is legal-process risk: if the auction stalls, the FAA could retire or reallocate slots, and the current LGA order expires on October 24, 2026 unless extended or replaced ([Federal Register LGA order](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10298/operating-limitations-at-new-york-laguardia-airport)).

## Sources

- Domain Expert Search (mcp)
  > Found 9 subagent groups for 'US airline industry LaGuardia slot allocation FAA DOT bankruptcy Spirit Airlines slots low-cost carrier antitrust':
- Court Listener (mcp)
  > Found 2 total dockets (showing 1-2):
- SEC EDGAR (mcp)
  > Search Results for 'Spirit Aviation Holdings'
- [Spirit Airlines ceases operations after escalating financial struggles - OPB](https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/02/spirit-airlines-says-it-will-cease-operations) (openai)
- [Spirit Airlines Wins Court Approval to Market LaGuardia Slots](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/spirit-airlines-wins-court-approval-to-market-laguardia-slots) (openai)
- [From Reorganization to Wind-Down: Spirit Airlines Moves to Auction Its – Stretto](https://chapter11cases.com/blogs/news/from-reorganization-to-wind-down-spirit-airlines-moves-to-auction-its-remaining-assets) (openai)
- [System Capacity and Evaluation | Federal Aviation Administration](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data) (openai)
- [JetBlue, WestJet Gain Slots at LaGuardia, Reagan National Airports | US Department of Transportation](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/jetblue-westjet-gain-slots-laguardia-reagan-national-airports) (openai)
- [Office of Public Affairs |  Justice Department Requires US Airways and American Airlines
to Divest Facilities at Seven Key Airports to Enhance
System-wide Competition and Settle Merger Challenge | United States Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-requires-us-airways-and-american-airlines-divest-facilities-seven-key) (openai)
- [Southwest to launch LaGuardia service after purchasing ATA slots: Travel Weekly](https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Southwest-to-launch-LaGuardia-service-after-purchasing-ATA-slots) (openai)
- [Summer 2025 LGA Holder Totals](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data/doc/LGA_S25_Slot_HOLDER_TOTALS.pdf) (openai)
- [Federal Register
       :: 
      Operating Limitations at New York LaGuardia Airport](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10298/operating-limitations-at-new-york-laguardia-airport) (openai)
- [FAA Chief: Spirit’s Slots at LaGuardia Should Go to Another Low-Cost Carrier | AirlineGeeks.com](https://airlinegeeks.com/2026/05/28/faa-chief-spirits-slots-at-laguardia-should-go-to-another-low-cost-carrier) (openai)
- [LaGuardia operator objects to Spirit's landing rights sale - The Points Guy](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-airlines-port-authority-laguardia-flight-sale) (openai)
- [JetBlue Airways Corporation - JetBlue and Frontier Announce Divestiture Agreement in Connection with JetBlue’s Combination with Spirit](https://news.jetblue.com/latest-news/press-release-details/2023/JetBlue-and-Frontier-Announce-Divestiture-Agreement-in-Connection-with-JetBlues-Combination-with-Spirit/default.aspx) (openai)
- [Microsoft Word - (10) 123-cv-10511 US v. JetBlue Opinion FINAL](https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/JetBlue%20Spirit.pdf) (openai)
- [Analysis: Spirit’s Exit Drives Growth For Frontier And JetBlue | Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/analysis-spirits-exit-drives-growth-frontier-jetblue) (openai)
- bts Transtats (mcp)
  > US Carrier Yearly T-100 Totals — 2025
- Domain Expert Research Task (mcp)
  > Job domain_expert_research_task_2f1db52dc0 done after 257799ms.
- [thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-preparing-to-shut-down) (tool)
- [document.epiq11.com](https://document.epiq11.com/document/getdocumentbycode?docId=4580426&projectCode=SPJ&source=DM) (tool)
- [faa.gov](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/data/doc/LGA_S25_Slot_HOLDER_DETAILS.pdf) (tool)
- [investor.jetblue.com](https://www.investor.jetblue.com/news/news-details/2023/JetBlue-and-Frontier-Announce-Divestiture-Agreement-in-Connection-with-JetBlues-Combination-with-Spirit/default.aspx) (tool)
- [news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/delaware-brief/ny-port-authority-objects-to-spirit-push-to-sell-laguardia-slots) (tool)
- [travelgumbo.com](https://www.travelgumbo.com/spirit-laguardia-in-court-over-slots) (tool)
- [thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-laguardia-slots) (tool)
- [ca.investing.com](https://ca.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/bofa-airlines-show-no-interest-in-spirit-aircraft-assets-93CH-4642906) (tool)
- [govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-13/pdf/2024-10298.pdf) (tool)
- [transportation.gov](https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/competition-data-analysis/slots-exemptions) (tool)
- [americanairlines.gcs-web.com](https://americanairlines.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amr-corporation-and-us-airways-announce-settlement-us-department) (tool)
- [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-statement-us-district-court-finding-department-s-settlement-us) (tool)
- [document.epiq11.com](https://document.epiq11.com/document/getdocumentbycode?docId=4583240&projectCode=SPJ&source=DM) (tool)
- [law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/93.221) (tool)

## Question Details

On May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines ceased operations and began liquidating its assets following bankruptcy, canceling all flights and vacating facilities including its operations at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York. (opb.org) Spirit had been the sole tenant of the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia and held a portfolio of FAA-controlled takeoff and landing slots at this slot-constrained airport. (en.wikipedia.org) In a liquidation scenario, such slots are valuable assets that may be reassigned by regulators (e.g., the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation) or transferred/sold through bankruptcy proceedings to other airlines. This question asks which airlines will ultimately take control (through purchase, transfer, or regulatory reallocation) of the LaGuardia slot pairs that were held by Spirit Airlines immediately prior to its shutdown on May 2, 2026. The resolution will consider developments from May 2, 2026 onward until a clear, authoritative allocation of the majority of these slots has occurred.

### Resolution Criteria

This question will resolve based on publicly reported final allocation(s) of Spirit Airlines' former LaGuardia (LGA) slot pairs. Primary sources for resolution will include: - Official announcements or orders from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Bankruptcy court filings or rulings related to Spirit Airlines asset disposition - Confirmed reporting from major reputable news outlets (e.g., Reuters, AP News, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal) Each listed airline option will be considered "true" if it is confirmed to have obtained control of at least one slot pair formerly held by Spirit at LGA, whether via purchase, lease, or regulatory reassignment. If multiple airlines acquire slots, multiple options may resolve as true. If no clear or final allocation is reported by May 2, 2028, the question will be annulled.

### Fine Print

- "Control" includes ownership, long-term lease, or formal allocation of slot usage rights sufficient to operate scheduled service at LGA. - Temporary or emergency use of slots (e.g., short-term accommodation flights immediately after shutdown) does not count unless later formalized. - If a merger or acquisition results in slots being transferred indirectly (e.g., via acquisition of Spirit assets), the acquiring airline counts. - If slots are returned to a general FAA pool and later redistributed, the eventual recipient airlines count. - If an airline ceases to exist or merges before resolution, its successor entity is credited. - Options are not mutually exclusive: multiple airlines may receive portions of the slot portfolio.