In July 2022, the plan for a $3.8 billion merger between JetBlue and Spirit was announced. The challenge is that the two airlines are facing major regulatory hurdles, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing to block this merger. If the merger is approved, JetBlue's goal is to become the fifth largest airline, and…
Continue reading: JetBlue Offers Spirit Slots To Frontier & Allegiant
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Still say this JetBlue/SPIRIT merger should be a No Go because it is anti consumer and eliminates an ULLC alternative. SPIRIT/Frontier would have been a solid improvement but the likelihood of JetBlue accomplishing what it needs to do to compete with the Big Four will prove to be financially draining and drive the carrier straight to BK. JetBlue flying Transatlantic with low density narrowbody aircraft will face incredible competition from the Big Three (AA/DL/UAL) and their respective Alliance partners and none of the Alliances had any interest in adding JetBlue in the past or moving forward.
people that don't want it to happen, a no go on what grounds? have you ever even flown spirit or any other ULCC? people that are most against this never even flew a ULCC, please stop clutching pearls and really look.
you complain that it removes a ULCC disruptor... but you can't compare bundled vs unbundled. look at the whole picture of average prices once those are factored in.
also the ULCC business model is struggling heavily right now. it doesn't scale well with inflationary pressures and rising oil, not to mention the labor disputes and their engine issues.
you can't dictate a company has to sell it's services at a set price which spirit will no longer be able to do.
i have never flown spirit / frontier but still feel theyre good for all consumers. even though you likely end up paying way more than sticker price once you add on ancillaries, the sticker price is often what people 'notice' and use for comparison shopping. thus, legacy carriers often have to lower fares to compete in a market with ULCC competition. Admittedly, the ULCC competition has spawned some negative changes at legacy carriers (like United / JetBlue no longer allowing free carry on bag in their lowest fare buckets), but on the whole, i have to believe its been somewhat effecting at Keeping fares in check.
Presumably JetBlue doesn't see itself strictly as an ULCC and therefor might be willing to cede the bottom on the market to Frontier and Allegiant. It's pretty apparent that JetBlue wants to be more of a legacy airline.
Some kind of divestiture is probably inevitable in this kind of transaction, so why not get ahead of it?
SMH... Allegiant is famous for departure time cancellations. You get a text message on your phone and attempt to rebook yourself bcuz there are 250 pax's in line checking in for other flights and those needing rebooking assistance. After Allegiant tells you they can't confirm you for 3 more days you end up schlepping down to DL or AA and paying an outrageous walk up fare but at least they can get you there. It's way cheaper to book your trip ahead of time on a mainline carrier- they have options. Alligiant does not.
As a fan of Spirit and their model, I think this whole thing is garbage. If you want to be a legacy airline why buy a bargain carrier ? I think this is more about quashing competition on transcontinental flights. I can routinely get LAX to EWR Spirit flights with the Big Front Seat for $350. Jet Blue's Mint is easily double that, and simply not worth it. So the days of having any affordable options for first class level seats are over. Unless Breeze succeeds. And that's years off if it ever happens. Is absorbing Spirit worth it just for that reason? When I see legacy transcontinental seats in first for $1000 on nonstops, I'm sure JB would love to kill off Spirit to to position Mint as a barely cheaper option than the big 3s first class price. And seriously, does anyone think Spirit customers will become Jet Blue customers ? No way. They're off to SWA.
I want this merger to happen because it's actually a good match. I love JetBlue, but they are limited in scope. They are more of a regional airlines with better quality product. Spirit, is a much larger airline with a national presence, but a terrible product. This merger will give the national presence that JetBlue needs with a much better product that Spirit never had.
I wish this merger does NOT happen. I appreciate Spirit and the ability to fly super cheap with just a backpack for short trips. I highly doubt this is better for most of the consumers.
Jetblue is nice
And spirt is spirt
But is about the money and the slots at l.a airport is important to jetblue
But I FEEL SORRY FOR THE CONSOMERS THAT CANT AFFORD IT
IS ABOUT business not pleasure