Thomas J Donohue

Ben Baldanza

Dec 02, 1961 - Nov 04, 2024

ARLINGTON, ON

Spirit Airlines pioneer – Ben Baldanza took his last breath at 62. Ben Baldanza, who pioneered the modern ultra-low-cost business model in the United States and turned Spirit into one of the most profitable airlines, has passed away following a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. The airline executive and economist was born in 1961 in Rome, New York. He began his career in the airline industry in 1986 when he joined American Airlines, holding finance and revenue management roles. During his time in America, the company went through a golden age in the wake of industry deregulation. It established a hub system, built a frequent flyer program, and came up with ways to discount fares. And Ben became a part of a so-called “Brat Pack” at American, a group of four employees who went on to run other reputed airlines. David Cush, the former CEO of Virgin America; Doug Parker, the CEO of America; and Thomas Horton, the former CEO of America, were also a part of the group. After leaving Spirit in 2016, Ben held board roles at Six Flags and Jet Blue. He was also an assistant professor who taught economics at George Mason University. He hosted the “Airlines Confidential” podcast along with the former Wall Street Journal travel editor Scott McCartney. Both of them would frequently interview and discuss industry news with the executives in the airline industry. Eventually, in August, Ben left the podcast in 2022. His wife, Marcia, his son, Enzo, his brother, Joe Baldanza, and his sisters, Judy Looker and Lia Farrington, survive him.