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Bad News for Gen Z’s Wallet, It’s on The Viral List

Spirit Airlines’ shutdown, John Summit’s scorched suitcase, and the bad news coming for Gen Z’s wallets are all going viral…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

May 8 2026
North America, Western Europe

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Spirit Airlines suddenly shut down this past weekend, sparking crowdfunding efforts and viral memes across Gen Z’s feeds
John Summit’s meltdown over his damaged Rimowa suitcase turned into Gen Z’s latest “IYKYK” meme moment
Gen Z is joking that there’s “bad news” coming for their wallets

Spirit Airlines shutdown—obviously there’s memes, but also…crowdfunding from Gen Z? Spirit Airlines, you were bigger than the whole sky. (Literally.) On Saturday, the budget airline suddenly shut down after 34 years in business, leaving thousands of travelers scrambling after arriving at airports only to discover canceled flights and empty gates. Faithful Spirit flyers mourned the loss of the airline that made ultra-cheap spontaneous trips possible. But one 32-year-old went is going viral for attempting to crowdfund the airline back into existence. After posting a TikTok proposing they save the airline, Hunter Peterson launched letsbuyspiritair.com, where users could pledge hypothetical contributions...