Spirit Airlines, the embattled budget carrier, has announced plans to furlough approximately 1,800 flight attendants as it navigates its second bankruptcy filing in less than a year. This move, aimed at slashing costs amid mounting financial pressures, underscores the airline’s desperate efforts to restructure and survive in a fiercely competitive market. The carrier’s first bankruptcy last year failed to fully stabilize operations, leading to this latest Chapter 11 filing. Union representatives have expressed dismay, noting that the furloughs could become permanent layoffs if the airline’s restructuring plan doesn’t gain traction. Strategic Pivots Amid UncertaintyExperts argue that Spirit must innovate beyond cost-cutting, perhaps by enhancing onboard amenities or forging alliances, as hinted in earlier transformation proposals.