Google buys defunct Spirit Airlines' data for $10 million for AI training

Google has acquired the internal data of the defunct Spirit Airlines for $10 million, a move aimed at bolstering its artificial intelligence capabilities. The purchase, made at a bankruptcy auction, includes a vast trove of information such as approximately 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams messages, and 30 million lines of code. Also included are pricing models, flight histories, crew schedules, financial databases, and customer service workflows.

Notably, the deal excludes passenger profiles, loyalty program data, and any credit card information. An external company, selected by Google, will be responsible for removing all personal data before the tech giant receives the material. This acquisition is subject to approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, becoming the first major U.S. airline to disappear due to financial problems in 25 years. The airline filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, citing a fuel price surge exacerbated by the conflict in Iran and the failure to secure a $500 million public bailout as reasons for its collapse.