Philippe Weiss Discusses Lessons from Spirit Airlines Closure on WGN Radio’s Noon Business Lunch

Philippe Weiss, president of Seyfarth at Work, was interviewed on WGN Radio Chicago’s "Noon Business Lunch" on May 12, 2026, where he discussed the closure of Spirit Airlines amid rising oil prices—and the key lessons small business leaders can take from it.

Weiss noted that Spirit Airlines was a true innovator in the aviation industry, reshaping the economics of air travel. However, he explained that the company’s reliance on razor-thin margins left it particularly vulnerable to external shocks—such as the spike in oil prices driven by geopolitical conflict.

Weiss emphasized that this situation offers an important reminder for small business leaders: preparing for cyclical and external risks is critical. He encouraged organizations to study historical patterns within their industries to identify periods of contraction—even those that occurred decades ago—and to proactively plan for how they would weather similar disruptions.

The full discussion can be heard at the 7:30 mark of the episode, "Noon Business Lunch 5/12/26: Positive affirmations, Spirit Airlines, Lower Tech Bills."