Spirit Airlines' Small-Jet Strategy Is Confusing for 1 Big Reason

For more than a decade, Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE)has exclusively operated Airbus (NASDAQOTH: EADSY)A320-family jets. Today, the 182-seat Airbus A320 is the backbone of Spirit's fleet, accounting for roughly half of its aircraft. Meanwhile, the 145-seat A319 and 228-seat A321 each account for about a quarter of the fleet.

These planes help Spirit efficiently serve its smallest and largest markets, respectively.