This post will be updated with new information.

Spirit Airlines, the popular “bare fare” carrier, is known to budget-savvy Nicaragua travelers for its longstanding red-eye flight from Fort Lauderdale to Managua. The route, which historically arrived in Nicaragua after midnight, has a complicated relationship with passengers: the itinerary is brutal, but the ultra-low price is unbeatable.

But things may be changing for long-suffering Spirit loyalists. In the wake of a recent brand remodel, including new fare classes, fewer fees, and premium perks like extra legroom, the late-night Managua flight appears to be moving to a convenient afternoon arrival–before disappearing altogether. Here’s what we know about the rumored changes and how they might affect Nicaragua travel.

What’s Happening with Spirit Flights to Nicaragua?

In early July, eagle-eyed flight trackers started seeing something unusual: the reliable Spirit Airlines route from Fort Lauderdale to Managua wasn’t appearing on Google Flights. Looking closer, it appeared that the entire schedule had been wiped out between September and December.

What’s more, the existing Spirit flights to Nicaragua had changed their itineraries. The arrival time flipped from 1:40 AM to 1:13 PM–a marked departure from the usual red-eye.

What’s going on? Rumors spread that Spirit is phasing out its late-night flight in favor of an afternoon schedule. Others fear the budget airline is planning to discontinue the route altogether due to budget cuts. Let’s skip past the speculation and look at the facts.

What We Know 

Spirit Airlines has long been a favorite choice for shoestring budget travelers thanks to its consistent low-cost route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Managua, Nicaragua. 

The round-trip FLL-MGA flight has traditionally landed in Nicaragua at 1:40 AM and departed for a United States return trip at 2:40 AM. Now, Spirit flights are surprisingly registering a reasonable 1:00 PM arrival time in Nicaragua, with a departure time of 2:00 PM. Some ticket holders are even finding their existing itineraries have moved to this afternoon timetable, or have been canceled unexpectedly.

All Spirit Airlines flights in and out of Managua appear to be suspended from September to early December (in an unlikely coincidence, the tail-end of the low season in Nicaragua). 

Spirit flights that resume in December are quite expensive, and back to the red-eye itinerary. No Spirit flights to Managua are currently listed for 2025. And it’s not just Nicaragua–routes across Central America also look to be suspended.

What The Spirit Airlines Flight Change Means for You

It is unclear at this time whether the Spirit airlines schedule change is a temporary result of operational decisions or a preview of what’s to come–good or bad. But if you’re making plans to visit Nicaragua, here’s what you can do to secure your travels in the midst of uncertainty:

If you already have a Spirit flight booked to Managua in the coming months: 
Double-check your itinerary. There’s a chance it’s changed from “AM” to “PM,” in which case your accommodation and transportation arrangements will almost certainly be impacted. If you have a Managua airport hotel booked, confirm your reservation can be changed if necessary.

If you are planning a trip to Nicaragua before the end of the year and do not yet have a flight booked: 
Explore all your options. The following airlines also fly into Managua from the United States in the event that Spirit is unavailable: American, Avianca, Copa, and United. All appear to be operating as usual.

If you are on a tight budget and find the major airline tickets too expensive:
Consider flying into Costa Rica. The Guanacaste (formerly Liberia International) Airport sits close to the southern Nicaraguan border, allowing for independent land crossings. While the heavily frequented Peñas Blancas point of entry is a slower and more complicated process than simply passing through customs at the Managua airport, it does offer greater flexibility in terms of flight times and prices, making it a popular alternative. If you go this route, you can take a bus or private driver from the Guanacaste airport into Nicaragua.

Making Nicaragua Travel Plans? 

Here’s the good news: Spirit Airlines isn’t the only way to enter Nicaragua. Whether you fly in on a yellow Airbus or step across the land border on foot, the exquisite Land of Lakes and Volcanoes will be there, ready to explore and enjoy. 

As you make your Nicaragua travel plans, find inspiration for places to go and things to do by following along here on the blog and at the Hidden Nicaragua Instagram. Want more Nicaragua travel tips? Reach out–we’re always happy to share recommendations. 

What do you make of the Spirit Airlines flight changes to Nicaragua? Share your opinions in the comments!

Related reads: Essentials to Pack for Nicaragua, What Not to Bring to Nicaragua: 6 Prohibited Items, 7 Best Managua Airport Hotels