Spirit Adds Fort Lauderdale-Belize City From Nov 21

Published on Nov 7, 2025, 12:02 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Spirit launches Fort Lauderdale-Belize City on November 21, operating three times weekly on Monday, Friday and Saturday
Intro fares start at $ 85.00 one way from FLL and $ 180.00 from BZE, with availability and blackout dates noted by Spirit
Timings settle from December 8 around a late-morning FLL departure and early-afternoon BZE return, with first-week variability likely
Competing nonstop options continue from Miami on American and from Houston on United and Southwest
Spirit's unbundled pricing means most travelers should factor carry-on and checked-bag fees when comparing totals

Belize will gain new U.S. capacity this month as Spirit Airlines begins nonstop Fort Lauderdale-Belize City service on November 21, 2025. The route will operate three times weekly on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, creating additional options into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) and expanding connections across South Florida via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL). Spirit is advertising one-way intro fares from $ 85.00 out of Fort Lauderdale and from $ 180.00 returning from Belize, subject to advance purchase and published blackout dates.

Spirit's new link and what changes for travelers

Spirit's entry adds a low-cost nonstop to Belize from one of the most connected leisure gateways in the U.S. According to the airline's announcement, the FLL-BZE service launches November 21 with three flights each week and promo pricing that, while capacity-controlled, undercuts many legacy itineraries on base fare alone. For travelers outside South Florida, the schedule taps Spirit's Fort Lauderdale hub to feed domestic connections.

Latest developments

Belizean officials welcomed the new link and published the indicative timetable that Spirit plans to settle into after the first two weeks. The Belize Tourism Board shows a late-morning Fort Lauderdale departure, around 1015 a.m. ET, arriving Belize City about 1140 a.m. local time, then a return around 1235 p.m. from BZE reaching FLL near 400 p.m. ET, effective December 8. Expect minor inaugural-week variability around the U.S. Thanksgiving period before the times normalize.

How the schedule stacks up

American maintains daily Miami-Belize City flying, a short hop that often pairs well with O&D traffic in South Florida and Latin America connections over Miami. United continues frequent Houston Intercontinental-Belize service, with Southwest operating from Houston Hobby on select days, giving Texas-centric travelers alternatives that bypass South Florida if schedules or prices align better. If your origin is flexible, compare the Miami and Houston nonstops against Spirit's Fort Lauderdale timings and connection options to see which combination shortens total journey time.

Fares, fees, and the real "all-in" price

Spirit's headline fares are attractive, but the airline's unbundled model means the true trip total depends on what you add. Most travelers will want at least one carry-on, and some will need a checked bag. Spirit includes one free personal item; Value-brand tickets do not include a carry-on by default, while Premium Economy includes a carry-on and waives change and cancel fees, and Spirit First adds a checked bag and other perks. Before you book, run the numbers for your party: base fare plus carry-on and checked bags, seat selection, and any priority services. Spirit's own policy pages list current inclusions and size limits for personal items, carry-ons, and checked baggage, which is the correct reference when calculating the total.

Background

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) is Belize's primary international gateway. The airport operator publishes seasonal timetables and updates, which can help you verify day-of-week service and spot any short-notice adjustments during holiday peaks. For the new Spirit flight, pair the airline's press release with the Belize Tourism Board schedule post to confirm frequency, promo fares, and intended clockface times, keeping in mind that holiday weeks often see one-off shifts.

Analysis

The immediate utility of Spirit's FLL-BZE launch is price pressure and new connectivity. For travelers based in South Florida, it offers a shorter surface transfer than Miami for those closer to Broward or Palm Beach counties, and it may open weekendable Belize trips with a late-morning southbound and early-afternoon northbound. For travelers elsewhere, the decision will come down to total trip time and all-in cost. A same-day connection into FLL can be efficient if your home city already has multiple Spirit frequencies into Fort Lauderdale. Otherwise, a nonstop via Miami or Houston could be simpler. Finally, the initial two-week bedding-in period, spanning the Thanksgiving corridor, is when small timing changes are most likely. From December 8, the BTB-posted times should be a steadier planning baseline.

Final thoughts

Spirit's new Fort Lauderdale-Belize City route adds choice and price competition heading into peak winter travel. If Belize is on your list, compare Miami and Houston alternatives against Spirit's intro fares, then choose the schedule that minimizes total time and maximizes value once bags and seats are tallied. That mix, not the base fare alone, will decide the best deal for your trip.