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New York-Based Travel Agents with A-List Connections

Planning travel through CIRE Travel gives you access to A-list connections in the travel industry. Our New York-based travel planners put their industry relationships to work for an exceptional experience. Perks, waivers and upgrades. Enjoy them all with CIRE.

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Our travel planners micromanage every detail of your reservation. We’ve ensured our clients arrive at their destinations during volcano eruptions, snowstorms and when they’ve overslept. Just one call to CIRE, and it’s handled. That’s all you want to hear.

Wherever You Travel. Whatever You Do. CIRE Travel’s Got It Handled.

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Our Favorite Places: Esther’s Brooklyn

Even if you call New York City home, chances are you’ve not explored the corners of all five boroughs and their very different neighborhoods. Not to mention, there are always new places to experience and things to do popping up. If you have always wanted to plan an NYC vacation, take some recommendations from Esther on her favorite Brooklyn haunts.

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Welcome To Valley View Travels

I want to talk about the value of using a travel agent for your next trip  .

We search ALL the sites to make sure we find you the best possible price! 

We read tons of reviews, look up photos and choose places WE ourselves would book, based on your budget. 

We respect YOUR budget- just let us know your budget and we’ll do our best to make it happen and if we can’t we will tell you 😏

Our job doesn’t end until you get back from your trip. We help with any issues during your trip and make sure we’ve got your back! 

We do an actual happy dance when you book with us!  Your business helps support our family!! 

And the BEST part?! 

Our services cost you NOTHING!!!!! 🌟 

So next time you do some online vacation shopping, or need a hotel for a business trip etc, just pause, and remember we would LOVE to help you!  

💜💜💜 Ellie 

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Hi and welcome!  I’m Ellen but my friends call me Ellie!  I’ve been a stay at home mom for forever it seems and now that my kids are slowly leaving the nest I wanted to have my own business and travel the world!  

So I became a home based travel agent!  And let me tell you it’s amazing!  I’m able to book other people’s trips and make commission… which would otherwise go to big companies like Expedia or Apple vacations etc. but when I book the trips the commission comes back to me and helps feed my ever growing teens!  

I’m also able to save a ton on my own travel.  Disney, Universal, resorts, cruises….yep I get a discount because I’m a travel agent!  Did I mention I love it!?  

So that’s me :) 

If you think this is something you would love to do as well let me know! 

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Travel agents throughout the United States have enjoyed our services for many years and those of you who have not booked with us, we look forward to working with you. Our progressive attitude toward technology and excellence in service will take us aggressively into the future. Everyone at Downtown Travel is eager to work with you so please use this site to find an international fare, to book your clients, and to stay in touch.

Downtown Travel was established 30 years ago and has expanded into one of the largest consolidators to Europe. In the last five years we have become an undisputed leader in selling travel to Eastern Europe.

The name Downtown Travel is synonymous with quality and dependability. It is our ability to provide travel agents with professional quality service along with a diversified array of travel destinations, which distinguish us in the marketplace.

Downtown Travel is a 21st Century Full Travel Service establishment committed to bring the highest level of quality service to our customers. It is our customer service, which is the reason for our continued success and enables us to provide meaningful work and opportunity for the personal growth and security of every employee.

We recognize the importance of all of our customers for the accomplishment of our purpose. We dedicate ourselves to excellence in providing a host of services. In addition to these services, we insure the following:

• Friendly and Courteous Service
• Fair and honest treatment in all customer transactions
• Quality of all products and services
• Guaranteed satisfaction of every transaction

Our high standard of excellence has been recognized and rewarded by various segments of the travel industry including awards and citations from numerous carriers.

We offer flights to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

Use the arrows to scroll through the regional carriers.

Downtown Travel works with over 100 major carriers and our group department is very well informed of their networks. We will do the research for you to the destinations you need and offer you the most competitive itineraries and rates.

Please e-mail your request to: [email protected] or click "Request a group quote" to send your groups instantly through this website.

We will do our best to quote the best possible group fare for your request within 24 to 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Upon confirmation, we will send you the contract with terms and conditions. You will be required to pay a deposit depending on airline policies. Full payment will be required at the time of ticketing. Usually, Group tickets once issued are non-refundable.

For any questions please call 855-558-0221 .

Holidays with Downtown is a global tour operator that provides guaranteed departures to over 63 countries, and English and Spanish language tour guides worldwide. FIT programs anywhere and group handling from 10 to thousands. The premier booking engine for luxury, safaris, heritage, festivals, religious, and cultural tour packages.

In the growing digital age, speed and convenience have become paramount for the travel industry. We aimed to create a clean OTA-like solution for the booking needs of travel agencies, hosts, and consortiums.

We have created TheBestAgent.Pro a simple and intuitive, point and click, online portal to make it as easy as possible for the agents to book and ticket for their clients without having to pick up the phone or leave the house. Our proprietary tool is the only of its kind that requires zero GDS knowledge and allows users to ticket themselves 24 hours a day.

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Seamless travel planning.

How long does it take you to plan a vacation?  Elli Travel Group helps clients save time & add value, by booking customized adventures. The planning checklist is extensive, so let us do the heavy lifting.

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Our rates are the same as published rates.  Working w/ Elli Travel's team of luxury travel advisors unlocks access to VIP services & travel perks at fine hotels & resorts like Four Seasons, Belmond, Rocco Forte Hotels, St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, & more. Looking for an adventure? Leverage our relationships at Abercrombie & Kent, Backroads, and others.

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Our travel advisors have the tools, insights & connections to build your dream vacation. Get killer recommendations & perks, a seamless booking experience — and maybe a cool new friend along the way.

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Buzzing cities, tropical islands, remote escapes and everything in between. Our first-hand intel and insider expertise covers the globe.

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Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

This serene casita resort features bird-song-filled acres of untamed tropical forest, a coffee farm, equine stables, organic chef’s gardens and a wellbeing center.

$100 hotel credit.

Breakfast daily.

Extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Chablé Yucatán

This luxury Mexico resort was founded on the basis of Mayan well-being, and offers thoughtful immersion into the country’s vibrant culture.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Domaine de Fontenille

This restored 18th-century home sits amid an organic garden and 17th-century vineyard in Luberon, an idyllic hilltop region in Provence.

Complimentary experience.

Welcome note & amenities.

One-way airport transfer.

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Customized travel planning for your style, expert advice from people who've actually been there, free upgrades, spa credits and more — we got you, relax, you're in good hands.

Fora Advisor Christina P.

Christina was extremely thorough throughout the process. She handled everything every step of the way. Honestly, it felt like she was right by my side throughout the entire trip. I could not have experienced this trip without her.

Booked travel to Illinois with Christina P.

Fora Advisor Katrina F.

Katrina was incredible every step of the way. She helped us tighten up our itinerary and made great recommendations for hotels and restaurants that worked really well for our family. I would highly recommend anyone thinking about how to make their trip perfect go straight to Katrina.

Booked travel to California with Katrina F.

Fora Advisor Melissa F.

I was impressed by the high level of professionalism in planning and organizing my trip to NYC. Attention to detail and genuine care for my particular interests - great restaurants and seeing the best of the city - were evident in every step of the planning. I highly recommend Melissa!

Booked travel to New York City with Melissa F.

Fora Advisor Thomas S.

Thomas was amazing. He got us a free room upgrade, free breakfasts for 5 days (an ~$270 value), a $50 room credit, early checkin, late checkout and more. I am referring him to all of my friends who like to travel in style.

Booked travel to Washington DC with Thomas S.

Fora Advisor Sequoia A.

Managed expectations and helped deliver the experience I was looking for. Kind and professional. Facilitated everything so I could fully enjoy myself without worry or any kind of stress arranging my stay.

Booked travel to Mexico with Sequoia A.

Fora Advisor Jill M.

Jill is amazing - so professional and goes above and beyond to accommodate her clients and their particular requests and booking preferences. She always find exactly what we need and want! Highly recommend.

Booked travel to Portugal with Jill M.

Looking for travel inspiration?

Are you the go-to person for travel tips.

Turn it into a dream job. We'll show you the ropes and make you look great. Work from anywhere, flexible or full-time — the best gig you didn't know existed.

Still have questions? We got you.

What is a travel agency.

A travel agency supports a team of travel advisors who sell, curate and book travel. Travel advisors consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay. In addition to planning and booking trips, advisors communicate with hotels and other partners (tour companies, cruises, etc.) to ensure each trip goes smoothly.

What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?

The terms travel agent and travel advisor are used interchangeably. The original term was ‘travel agent,’ but the industry has gone through a bit of a rebrand to showcase the breadth of work that a travel advisor does. We use both, but typically refer to our network of travel advisors simply as Fora Advisors.  

Fora Advisors (a.k.a. travel advisors / agents) work with clients to understand their travel needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a hotel for a long weekend to planning a honeymoon to securing a room block for a corporate conference. 

What are the benefits of working with a travel agent?

Working with a travel agent helps you level up your travel experience. A travel agent handles all the logistics — on-the-ground transfers, hotel and tour bookings, itinerary planning — so you can get the most out of your trip, without any of the stress. 

Plus, our Fora travel agents have insider access to over 5,000 preferred partnerships, meaning you get complimentary perks, priority upgrades and so much more at thousands of locations around the globe. We put serious time and airline mileage into visiting these properties in person so we can give you the up-to-date intel on your destination. We also maintain close relationships with hotel management so you’re treated like the VIP you are from the moment you arrive.

In other words, working with a travel agent unlocks a secret travel world you need to be a part of. But don’t just take our word for it… we have tons of 5-star reviews from happy clients.

Will I get perks & benefits when I work with a Fora Advisor?

Yes — big time. Our travel advisors have access to upgrades & perks at over 5,000 partners around the world. Plus, our partnerships with brands like Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and beyond — as well as with smaller, independent boutique hotels — ensure you get treated like a VIP wherever you travel to next.

What types of travel can I book with Fora?

You name it, we book it: resort vacations, safaris , city breaks, vacation home rentals, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, weekend escapes…We do it all.

Do Fora Advisors count as Disney travel agents? What about cruise travel agents?

Absolutely. We provide comprehensive training on just about everything in the travel industry, so our advisors are well equipped to curate any client’s dream trip. (Read more about the benefits of booking with a cruise travel agent .)

I’m planning a group trip. Can Fora Advisors help?

Of course! The more the merrier. Whether you’re organizing a family reunion, honeymoon , bachelorette party or company-wide retreat, we’re happy to help. Just get in touch with your Fora Advisor to begin the process.

How do I make the most of my experience when planning a trip with Fora?

Tell us everything. Let us know if you love golf, must have access to a kids’ club or have a soft spot for off-the-beaten-path travel . Serious allergies or dietary restrictions are also very helpful information to share. That way, we’ll only show you options that fit your wants and needs. We also love to hear about your favorite hotels and trips you’ve enjoyed in the past, because that clues us in to your travel style.

If you’ve never worked with a travel advisor before, get our guide on what to expect when booking with a travel agent .

Wait, I kind of want to be a Fora Advisor myself. How can I join?

We love to hear it! We have a guide on how to become a travel agent . Then, when you’re interested in transforming your passion for travel into a meaningful career, apply to become a Fora Advisor today . 

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• New York City

New York City Vacations: The Big Apple

New York City is known for its iconic landmarks. There’s Central Park, the glittering lights of Times Square, and Broadway. Get cultured by the masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, step back into the Jurassic at the Natural History Museum, or admire the architecture of the Guggenheim. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and admire New York City’s skyscrapers, or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building. With a Liberty Travel New York City vacation package, discover the city’s neighborhoods, main attractions, and get hard-to-find tickets.

New York City at a Glance

Currency: U.S. Dollar ($)

Tipping Customs: Tip anywhere between 20-25%, unless service charge is added

Language: English

Popular Drink: Cosmopolitans, Craft Beer, and Cocktails

Must Eat: Pizza

Power Up: Type A or Type B plug, 120 V (the standard in the United States)

Weather: New York has all four seasons. In the summer, temperatures can be quite hot and humid. Fall and spring bring milder temperatures, with winter temperatures ranging from the teens to the high thirties. Pack a rain jacket for spring and fall and layers for winter.

Best Time to Visit: Year-round

New York City Deals

Meet our new york city experts.

Christina Racek

Lisa Siubis

Nikki Joyce

Debra Kalsmith-Sternberg

Angela DiMaggio

Kathleen Romanishan

Top Things to Do in New York City

Stroll a Park Venture beyond Central Park to the Highline, Prospect Park, Governors Island, and Bryant Park, near the New York Public Library.

Catch a Show on Broadway The glittering lights of Times Square draw crowds, but this area is best-known for its Broadway shows; speak to your Liberty Travel consultant for harder-to-find seats like Hamilton.

City of Museums Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the MOMA, and the Guggenheim, but venture off-the-beaten path for the Frick, the Morgan, the Cloisters, and other gems.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island While you can see the statue for free on the Staten Island Ferry, this icon is worth a proper visit—just plan well-ahead if you want to visit the crown.

Mingle with the Locals Spend a Sunday morning in Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side, Harlem, or Park Slope and do Sunday like a New Yorker.

Our Commitment to You

For over 70 years, the one-on-one personal experience has been at the very heart of Liberty Travel’s mission. It's what we've always done, and now it’s more important than ever.

We’re committed to serving you through:

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Real people helping real people. Beside you every step of the way.

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At Liberty Travel it’s the people who make a difference. Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. Real people helping real people. Beside you every step of the way.

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We are honored to be named United States’ Leading Travel Agency at the 30th annual World Travel Awards. Thank you for trusting us with crafting your incredible vacations.

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A Liberty Travel consultant or one of our third party independent advisors who are part of our member network, Envoyage will contact you within 1 business day. If you would like to speak to a Liberty Travel consultant or one of our independent advisors now, please call 1-888-343-2128 . A non-refundable consulting deposit may be required to start the planning process for certain multi-city itineraries based upon complexity. This consulting deposit will be applied towards your final trip cost at the time of booking. You acknowledge that by submitting this inquiry form that your information may be disclosed to our third party independent advisors who are part of our member network, Envoyage for the purpose of facilitating your inquiry and your travel services booking. Accordingly, you are deemed to consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information by us to our third party independent advisors who are part of our member network, Envoyage and relevant travel service providers for the purpose of facilitating your inquiry and your travel services booking and in accordance with the Liberty Travel Privacy Notice .

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Welcome to one of New York’s most renowned hotels—a midtown icon, famous citywide for the red block lettering on its façade. Our Midtown West location puts you in the heart of Manhattan, steps from Penn Station, Times Square, the Javits Center, and innumerable attractions. Although we offer more than 1,000 guest rooms and suites, you’ll discover personal service that makes you feel right at home. Relax between outings in your own Art Deco-inspired sanctuary, complete with a plush white bed, HDTV, and work desk.

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Visit the first adult-use cannabis dispensary on Fifth Ave in the heart of NYC's shopping district.

Time Out says

The Travel Agency arrives on Fifth Avenue

The Travel Agency, your premiere destination for cannabis in New York City, is embarking on a new chapter at 587 Fifth Avenue —right on the edge of the Diamond District between E 47th and E 48th streets, next to H&M’s flagship store and across the street from Lululemon and Sephora . The new  dispensary  for the women-founded and  BIPOC-founded company joins the flagship in Union Square and a Downtown Brooklyn store . In each location, you'll find the largest selection of any legal dispensary in New York. As one of the few dispensaries in the city licensed by the state, all the cannabis products are grown, produced and lab-tested in New York. Their superstar budtenders can help guide you to the best products for your needs and Doobie, The Travel Agency's exclusive delivery service, can even deliver to your door—across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. 

Fifth Avenue is open 🎉🎉🎉 This is the first adult-use dispensary to be located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York’s most famous shopping district, between the legendary Rockefeller Center and iconic Grand Central Terminal. Centrally accessible at 587 Fifth Avenue between 47th Street and 48th Street, our immersive space will transport you to a far-off destination. Expect the same premium experience that’s made The Travel Agency branded dispensaries your favorite – captivating design, the best curated selection, and our state’s most knowledgeable budtenders. We’ve been able to employ more than 200 phenomenal people across our three branded dispensaries. We wouldn’t be here without our teams and all of the support we’ve received, so our thanks goes to each of you. We’re grateful to be building this with you.

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C.I.A. Director to Meet With Israeli Counterpart This Weekend Over Cease-Fire Talks

It was unclear if negotiators from Egypt and Qatar would participate.

• Share full article

By Julian E. Barnes and Edward Wong

Reporting from Washington

• May 23, 2024

William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, who has been the lead American negotiator in efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza, plans to travel to Europe this weekend for talks with his Israeli counterpart to try to revive the stalled discussions over a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages, according to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the negotiations.

This month, frustration boiled over between officials from Hamas and Israel, and the countries mediating — the United States, Qatar and Egypt — put the talks on hold.

Israeli officials were upset with what they saw as shifting negotiating stances by Hamas, including the number of hostages to be released in a first phase. Hamas was upset by Israel’s operations in Rafah, the southern Gazan city, which have been progressing since.

But core to the dispute were disagreements over how to define a cessation of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, and how different stages of the cease-fire would be put into effect.

The resumption of talks, at an undisclosed location in Europe, is expected to take place over the next few days. It is not clear if Egyptian and Qatari negotiators will join Mr. Burns and David Barnea, the chief of the Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, to directly take part in the discussions.

Mr. Burns, however, has been in close contact with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators as the mediators look to get the talks back on track, said a U.S. official.

In early May, Mr. Burns did shuttle diplomacy between Egypt and Israel trying to push for the first phase of an agreement to begin, including a staggered process for the release of hostages and a temporary halt in fighting.

The talks in the coming days are expected to be the first since that round of negotiations ended. While it is unclear what could be achieved with Mr. Burns’s new discussions, restarting the talks is, at this point, a notable development.

U.S. officials say a hostage-for-cease-fire agreement has to be reached for all their other diplomatic efforts to get momentum, including discussions of a postwar administration in Gaza and a megadeal for a Palestinian state that the Americans and Saudis want Israel to agree to.

But Israeli military operations in Rafah continue to complicate the picture. The more aggressive the Israeli operations there, the less Hamas wants to negotiate.

Some American officials have said Israel is taking their advice on how to mitigate some civilian casualties — which has contributed to an erosion of international support for Israel with over 35,000 people dead, according to the Gazan health authorities.

On Wednesday, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, said he was optimistic that Israel, so far, was not conducting the kind of major operation in Rafah that the United States had feared it would. But questions remain about exactly what the Israeli intentions for Rafah over the longer term might be.

Julian E. Barnes covers the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The Times. He has written about security issues for more than two decades. More about Julian E. Barnes

Edward Wong is a diplomatic correspondent who has reported for The Times for more than 24 years from New York, Baghdad, Beijing and Washington. He was on a team of Pulitzer Prize finalists for Iraq War coverage. More about Edward Wong

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Israel’s military said its troops were pressing on with their ground assault of Rafah , even as international outrage  over its operation there intensified in the wake of a deadly airstrike  on a camp for displaced Palestinians.

The temporary pier that the U.S. military constructed and put in place to provide much-needed humanitarian aid for Gaza has broken apart in rough seas , the Pentagon said.

Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognized an independent Palestinian state . The previously announced moves by the three European nations are largely symbolic , but serve as a rebuke to Israel.

U.S. Military Aid Project: The Pentagon predicted that a stream of humanitarian aid would be arriving in Gaza via the floating pier, but little relief has reached the besieged strip .

Ari Emanuel’s Condemnation: The media executive condemned Netanyahu  for his leadership since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, a conspicuous statement from one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.

Amal Clooney Weighs In: The prominent human rights lawyer was on a panel that recommended arrest warrants  for leaders of Israel and Hamas. She had been criticized earlier for not speaking out on the war.

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Israel to require American visitors to apply in advance for electronic travel authorization

Israel is joining the Western nations requiring an advance online application and a fee for citizens from visa-exempt countries, including the United States.

Until now, Americans who want to travel to Israel haven’t needed to do anything other than purchase a plane ticket and pack their bags.

But starting Aug. 1, electronic travel authorization through a designated website will be required, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism announced this week. A pilot program, with the NIS 25 ($7) fee waived, will launch Saturday for travelers from the United States and Germany and will extend to all visa-exempt countries on July 1.

Travelers are advised to apply 72 hours before booking flights and lodging. Travelers without the authorization will not be permitted to board planes headed to Israel, and Interior Ministry spokeswoman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The ETA-IL program is similar to others that have been put in place in recent years in Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Their goal is to screen out travelers suspected of posing a security threat or of potentially violating tourist visa restrictions through work or overstaying before they land at ports of entry.

Most countries that have launched similar programs advise a 72-hour heads-up, although the authorization frequently arrives via email within hours. The United States warns that people who do not apply in advance for travel authorization can face delays boarding flights or be turned away at the border, even if they come from countries that participate in the U.S. visa-waiver program. ( Israel was added to the program only last September .)

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who are citizens or permanent residents of Israel are not required to request authorization. Citizens of nonexempt countries will still need to complete a more arduous visa application process. The authorization will last for two years and will allow multiple entries of up to 90 days.

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Fists fly during brawl at Spirit Airlines counter in Baltimore airport, wild video shows

A dispute at a Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Baltimore Washington International Airport erupted into a violent brawl involving five men, leaving one with minor injuries, cops confirmed Friday.

Wild video captured on a bystander’s cellphone camera showed the fracas unfold around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, when a man wearing shorts and a hooded sweatshirt appeared to approach several ticket agents in dark-colored Spirit Airlines uniforms with his fists raised.

As the counter workers seemingly accepted the man’s challenge and began closing in on him, a fifth man wearing a white button-down shirt bursts into frame swinging a vicious haymaker that throws the man off balance as the others surround him.

The lone man is soon wrestled to the ground — getting tangled in the airline’s rope barriers — as the four airport workers rain blows upon him with their feet and fists, the videographer cackling in approval at the violent scene.

After the man is subdued, one of the counter workers sneaks through the dogpile and delivers one final cowardly blow to the helpless man’s head, according to the footage first reported by TMZ .

Reached by email Friday, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police confirmed the incident to The Post.

“Officers responded to the Spirit Airlines ticket counters at BWI Marshall Airport for reports of a fight. Officers identified five involved individuals. One individual suffered minor injuries. All involved parties were provided with victims’ rights and services information, including information about filing criminal charges at the local commissioner’s office.”

They did not respond to questions about whether any arrests were made following the fight.

A Spirit Airlines spokesperson told The Post that the men seen in the video were not Spirit employees, but instead were “employed by our vendor at BWI.”

“Our vendor has suspended four of their employees involved pending an investigation into the matter. We do not tolerate violence of any kind, and we will take appropriate action as necessary following the completion of the vendor’s investigation.”

The popular discount carrier is no stranger to violent encounters involving passengers and crew alike.

In April, video captured a Spirit Airlines worker at a Florida airport shouting “F–k you, too!” at a passenger during a dispute.

Earlier this month a Spirit Airlines flight attendant nearly got pummeled as she desperately tried to break up a fistfight between two men on a Boston-bound flight.