This certainly is a strange time in the airline industry when it comes to competitive dynamics…
In this post:
JetBlue cuts five Newark routes as of July 2026
JetBlue is currently making huge changes to its network. With Spirit having recently liquidated, JetBlue is increasingly focusing on Fort Lauderdale (FLL), an airport that it thinks it can now turn into a proper hub. That’s because when it comes to traffic at the airport, Spirit was number one and JetBlue was number two, and JetBlue is now pretty quickly backfilling the gaps left by Spirit.
As you’d expect, growing in Fort Lauderdale requires cutting elsewhere, and it’s interesting to see the station getting the most cuts. JetBlue has revealed that as of July 8, 2026, it’ll discontinue flights from Newark (EWR) to Aruba (AUA), Cancun (CUN), Punta Cana (PUJ), Santo Domingo (SDQ), Tampa (TPA),
That makes up nearly half of the year-round destinations served by the airline out of the airport, with the others being Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO), San Juan (SJU), Santiago de los Caballeros (STI), and West Palm Beach (PBI).
Is this a logical move, or should we be suspicious?
It’s interesting to see JetBlue largely scaling back service in Newark, especially as the airline increasingly strengthens its partnership with United, thanks to the Blue Sky collaboration the two airlines have.
On the one hand, it’s perfectly logical that JetBlue would scale back service at Newark:
- JetBlue can really only compete for spill traffic at Newark, so the airline can’t establish any sort of a dominant position there, with any sort of pricing power
- JetBlue isn’t exactly in growth mode, so if the airline wants to grow elsewhere, it needs to come at the expense of existing service
- Ultimately JetBlue’s strong New York area airport is Kennedy (JFK), so it makes sense for the airline to focus on that
At the same time, on some level, you can’t help but find this all to be a little suspicious (I’m not suggesting anything is actually going on here, but I’m just talking about optics):
- Spirit had a fairly large presence at Newark, so not only has Spirit been eliminated as a competitor, but now JetBlue retreating makes this even more of a fortress hub for United, helping the carrier raise fares even more
- If JetBlue and United did eventually want to merge, lack of route overlap is something that regulators look for when deciding if a deal should get approval, so retreating from Newark would help in furtherance of that goal
Again, I’m not suggesting there’s any foul play here, as the rules are very clear regarding the types of coordination allowed between airlines. However, the optics sure are strange. Typically you’d think a partnership would mean more service to the hub of the other airline. But here we’re seeing JetBlue retreat massively, and basically hand United even more pricing power.
I continue to think that JetBlue is getting the short end of the stick with his partnership, especially compared to what might be possible with another airline. Obviously United is a much more powerful airline, and the greatest thing JetBlue can offer United is not partnering with one of United’s competitors. But it doesn’t seem like United is paying a sufficient price for that. Sure, United is supposed to start using JetBlue’s travel portal, but let’s actually see the upside there…
Bottom line
JetBlue is massively cutting its flying out of Newark, as the airline is ending five of its 12 year-round routes. The logic here is sound, in terms of JetBlue focusing more on Fort Lauderdale, given that Spirit has gone out of business, so it’s JetBlue’s chance to create a real hub.
However, it’s also a bit unusual to see an airline retreating from a partner hub to quite this extent, and if anything, this move will help the long term prospects of any sort of a deal between JetBlue and United.
The primary consideration here is obvious and legitimate, but I can’t help but wonder to what extent “synergies” were otherwise considered.
What do you make of JetBlue cutting Newark flights?
This is a huge LOSS for JetBlue and for us the mosaic customers
We are forced to bring OUR LOYALTY to United CLEARLY JetBlue DOESNT VALUE OUR LOYALTY being mosaic
Oh well JetBlue hope you don’t go belly up
The Ft Myers flite was always full. It is Full today. This partnership does Nothing for Mosaic 3&4 members. Time to enroll elsewhere. Big win for United
Sad as you can never have to many flights out of the New York / New Jersey
Metropolitan Area .
I think this is reasonable. If you are JetBlue, you need to try to "win" in your home markets. There is no point competing in EWR when you'll be non-competitive. It's better to put it all in for JFK, BOS, and FLL.
Way too much drama here. C’mon. This is a nothing burger.
I have been a long time Mosaic client and travel frequently between Rsw and Ewr. This spring and summer, Jet Blue changed their schedule and does not have any of those flights scheduled. This forces me to only use United which is much more expensive. They say you can book with your earned points but it is not apple to apple. Points on United are more then triple then Jet Blue flights which on this...
I have been a long time Mosaic client and travel frequently between Rsw and Ewr. This spring and summer, Jet Blue changed their schedule and does not have any of those flights scheduled. This forces me to only use United which is much more expensive. They say you can book with your earned points but it is not apple to apple. Points on United are more then triple then Jet Blue flights which on this route is no longer available. I spend over 100K per year on their Jet Blue card. If the flights to and from Fort Myers and Ewr are not brought back this Fall, I will be opening a United credit card and say goodbye to Jet Blue.
Bye bye Steven.
You should have spent 100M+ to keep your route alive.
Yes, but #thisisnotanairport. There’s no need to announce your departure
Of course there’s “foul play” going on. When don’t CEOs lie, cheat, and steal? It’s part of the job duties.
It is quite simple. B6 has limited resources and they need to focus their attention on their primary focus airports which are JFK/BOS/FLL. With the UA partnership there is no need to offer marginal routes at a high cost airport like EWR. They will never be able to build up a big enough presence at EWR to gain any pricing power on those routes. Better to use their planes on other routes where they are more likely to bring in additional revenue.
and that would all be fine if they weren't walking away from EWR at the same time they say they are going to give slots to UA at JFK in, supposedly for UA to give B6 flight timings at EWR (since EWR is not slot controlled) and in a marketing partnership
"that would all be fine if they weren't walking away from EWR at the same time they say they are going to give slots to UA at JFK"
Same time? UA & B6 announced their partnership a year ago and UA begins their JFK-SFO/LAX transcons next year. Swing and a miss.
Dude, don't you realize it by now.
Anything NYC market to Tim is a huge conspiracy against Delta. And DL isn't even a clear cut leader at all.
But Tim is going to cherry pick something absurd and say DL is dominating NYC.
Maybe the largest carrier in NYC for people with last name starting with letter D.
you know what?
I am not going to decide the future of UA via mergers and acquisitions.
Lots of government officials will.
It is and will be the mere fact that rebel and UA love to tout its world's largest size as well as largest in NYC that is problematic for any "deal"
If AA couldn't make a deal w/ B6 work, it is beyond dilusional to think UA will
hilarious and ironic how UA's ill-advised retreat from JFK somehow has now placed it on a bankshot path to complete dominance at EWR *and also* acquiring its way back into JFK, what a total coup
this is one of the most accurate things that Ben has ever written
"I continue to think that JetBlue is getting the short end of the stick with his partnership, especially compared to what might be possible with another airline."
which raises the question of how he or anyone esp. United water carrier Matthew thinks that this increases the chances of a deal between B6 and UA.
UA's market share in NYC is...
this is one of the most accurate things that Ben has ever written
"I continue to think that JetBlue is getting the short end of the stick with his partnership, especially compared to what might be possible with another airline."
which raises the question of how he or anyone esp. United water carrier Matthew thinks that this increases the chances of a deal between B6 and UA.
UA's market share in NYC is already the largest and they want to do a deal that gives them JFK slots in return for B6 gaining flight timings at EWR -which B6 clearly can't even operate the number of EWR flights they have now.
The option is always that the DOJ not allow UA to restore the flights that B6 is abandoning and specifically allow other carriers access to those flight times as well as any others if UA gains JFK flights.
B6 has an abysmal track record for getting it right on what the government wants and expects so it is doubtful that there will be any deal beyond simple marketing.
"B6 clearly can't even operate the number of EWR flights they have now."
Poor LTD doesn't seem to understand that the yields on NYC-LAX/SFO are favorable to NYC-AUA/CUN/PUJ/SDQ/TPA. It also helps that jetBlue has A321s with 16 lie-flat suites that are perfect for the transcon market as opposed to 44 recliners. Ouch!
again, tone deaf.
you can't seem to grasp that it is PRECISELY UA's dominance of EWR that will make it target 1 for every consumer group and attorney journey in any deal with B6, esp. since B6 is now pulling back at EWR just as they want to ramp up the partnership.
Nefarious indeed.
Whether you, Ben or Matthew can see it or not doesn't really matter.
It is nefarious.
but let's be clear...
again, tone deaf.
you can't seem to grasp that it is PRECISELY UA's dominance of EWR that will make it target 1 for every consumer group and attorney journey in any deal with B6, esp. since B6 is now pulling back at EWR just as they want to ramp up the partnership.
Nefarious indeed.
Whether you, Ben or Matthew can see it or not doesn't really matter.
It is nefarious.
but let's be clear that neither B6 NOR UA have done a very good job of figuring out what either needs to stay out of government oversight.
And just a year ago you were bragging how Delta was going to be the permanent NYC leader. Too funny.
LTD says, "it is PRECISELY UA's dominance of EWR that will make it target 1 for every consumer group and attorney journey in any deal with B6"
I doubt UA wants such a merger, but if UA & B6 did hook up they would have a 40% NYC market share before divestitures compared to Delta...
And just a year ago you were bragging how Delta was going to be the permanent NYC leader. Too funny.
LTD says, "it is PRECISELY UA's dominance of EWR that will make it target 1 for every consumer group and attorney journey in any deal with B6"
I doubt UA wants such a merger, but if UA & B6 did hook up they would have a 40% NYC market share before divestitures compared to Delta hub cities.
ATL: 75%
SLC: 72%
DTW: 70%
MSP: 65%
Sorry, you're scared and tired dog don't hunt.
you clearly don't understand the difference between organic growth and acquiring competitor assets.
DL has grown its hubs organically since it lead the industry in the megamergers.
and DL's market share growth at ATL has been because it has outlasted multiple carriers including Eastern and AirTran/Southwest
B6 is wilting at the hands of DL at JFK and BOS.
DL will grow NYC with the slots it has and what it can use...
you clearly don't understand the difference between organic growth and acquiring competitor assets.
DL has grown its hubs organically since it lead the industry in the megamergers.
and DL's market share growth at ATL has been because it has outlasted multiple carriers including Eastern and AirTran/Southwest
B6 is wilting at the hands of DL at JFK and BOS.
DL will grow NYC with the slots it has and what it can use that other airlines like AA and B6 are not using. DL doesn't have to buy or swap anything to gain its dominance at LGA and JFK.
as noted above, you and a few others realize that UA has made enormous strategic mistakes over a number of years and the only way they will fix that is to acquire other airlines or their major assets.
UA can't tout how large they are - largest in the world and in NYC - and then cry about how they are disadvantaged in major markets.
no, UA doesn't want a merger... they want to dominate EWR, get back into JFK and still be the largest in NYC = but there isn't a soul that really can make all that happen on top of the $10 billion in debt that B6 will bring.
As is always the case w/ you and your ilk, it is you that are what you accuse me of - you are the one that is afraid of the reality that UA will never be able to correct its neglect of the domestic market as a whole and JFK specifically
Delta's 2008 pre-merger market share was 71.3% in ATL & 71.0% in SLC. The combined airline's initial post-merger market share sat at 58.1% in MSP & 55.7% in DTW so your scared and tired dog still doesn't hunt, but nice try.
Buying Western Airlines and taking their hub in SLC is hardly organic, ditto for DTW and MSP with Northwest.
Wow Lil Timmy and his “alternate facts” just getting absolutely taintspanked today
Tim is just showing his lack of understanding about how mergers get approved. You think this is all about numbers and precedence. The case will be handed to the DOJ, which is not independent like the FTC. They will then choose to not challenge the merger or challenge it but only on the smallest of grounds because of Kirby’s ass kissing and it’ll go to court and get approved. It doesn’t matter how dominant United...
Tim is just showing his lack of understanding about how mergers get approved. You think this is all about numbers and precedence. The case will be handed to the DOJ, which is not independent like the FTC. They will then choose to not challenge the merger or challenge it but only on the smallest of grounds because of Kirby’s ass kissing and it’ll go to court and get approved. It doesn’t matter how dominant United is, the DOJ will operate as an arm of the Trump administration.
But don’t worry you’ve said before that United will never catch up to Delta in terms of profits and that’s exactly what they’ll argue in court as to why this merger is fine. That Delta was handed dominant market positions in so many markets and that United competes against other airlines in all of its hubs including New York and B6’s hubs are all competitive too. So what’s the harm?
Maybe you should do some researching and thinking… This is all political and Delta has played the “art of anti-competitive” deals for the better part of 30 years, I guess now it will hurt them.
Wow, Tim is getting worried this will hurt his love Delta. Now he wants the govt to save his Delta from United
Tim we are all laughing at you.
it is beyond remarkable that Andy argues "I" don't understand how antitrust law works and it is the UA fans that continue to believe that EWR is not part of the same NYC market that the DOJ has repeatedly said, like WAS, is one market.
and, no, DL wasn't handed high market share positions. It simply chose to build its core hubs in single airport cities -including essentially BOS and SEA on top of...
it is beyond remarkable that Andy argues "I" don't understand how antitrust law works and it is the UA fans that continue to believe that EWR is not part of the same NYC market that the DOJ has repeatedly said, like WAS, is one market.
and, no, DL wasn't handed high market share positions. It simply chose to build its core hubs in single airport cities -including essentially BOS and SEA on top of its historic ATL, DTW, MSP and SLC hubs - and then win ORGANICALLY in those markets.
It is not the DOJ's problem that UA has not figured out how to be more profitable; it has made it clear that its objective is competitiveness in the US airline industry with virtually no concern for profitability.
DL has said it is NOT interested in merging which makes it pretty clear that any domestic mergers or acquisitions involving the big 4 will create an imbalance in market power - which will set off all kinds of red flags.
UA and B6 both have horrible track records of understanding how to stay under the DOJ's radar while DL has done a pretty good job.
and UA itself has said that it is not interested in acquiring all of B6 - undoubtedly because of the debt. a full merger of B6 by UA is a wet dream of UA fan nuts that are even more disconnected from the inflated statements UA execs make.
the only people that are laughing are those that watch UA fan nuts who think that UA will dominate the world even more when UA already touts that it is the world's largest airline and the largest in NYC. If UA hasn't got what it needs to be profitable and cover the world sufficiently with what it has, the American people are certainly not going to pay the price with even higher fares because UA has been mismanaged for so many years including over the past 5 years that UA focused more on size than profitability.
Because the egotistical entitled Noo Yawk Yankers that B6 is designed to appeal to would rather cut themselves off from bagels than fly out of Newark. Or their crappy excuse for pizza.
That’s a good summary of things that didn’t happen. Cheers!
EWR market share 2/26:
UA: 60%
NK: 8.5%
B6: 4.5%
This and the upcoming 2027 SFO/LAX – JFK transcons with lie-flat suites will strengthen United's leading NYC position.
thank you again for confirming how tone deaf you are.
Rebel
Given you work at United, I'm sure you're quite aware that United market share at EWR during the year is closer to 70% by just about every measure.
Tim Dunn is being an especially big idiot today but there's no reason to give fake data.
Would love to see American try to take the slots and run ~3x daily service to LAX from EWR and can look to increase the frequency of the rest of its flights from EWR (which are all to AA's other hubs). Just to mess with UA a bit. The Admirals Club in EWR TA is actually pretty nice given it's a new terminal and new build.
B6 is slowly dying. The pivot to install first...
Would love to see American try to take the slots and run ~3x daily service to LAX from EWR and can look to increase the frequency of the rest of its flights from EWR (which are all to AA's other hubs). Just to mess with UA a bit. The Admirals Club in EWR TA is actually pretty nice given it's a new terminal and new build.
B6 is slowly dying. The pivot to install first class seats (with corresponding less legroom in coach) is just the antithesis of what their model was, and not sure their customer base will choose B6 versus Big 3 once that happens (for what, the awful JFK T5 experience?). If you want to fly to Punta Cana, plenty of B6 and other options from JFK, although there was nothing "wrong" with the B6 flight out of EWR (I've taken it, it was perfectly nice).
the chances are higher that it would be DL that starts EWR transcons since UA has a pretty long track record of not messing with Delta; when your competitor makes a lot more than you do, you just roll over rather than fight - which is exactly the strategy that UA hopes will work w/ AA in ORD.
Of course, it would be most funny if AA and DL both start more than a dozen additional EWR flights including transcons.
"the chances are higher that it would be DL that starts EWR transcons"
With A321s with 44 recliners or those sweet DL 767s?
rebel.. bahaha!!
Based on past performance, I think you're correct, but would be nice to see AA have a little bit of fight in them given all of their ORD squabbling with UA. DL/AA basically both just fly to their hubs from EWR, which makes sense of course.
I think the risk for Delta is that they can't really replicate the Delta One experience at EWR. I suppose AA can't replicate the "Flagship" experience either, but...
Based on past performance, I think you're correct, but would be nice to see AA have a little bit of fight in them given all of their ORD squabbling with UA. DL/AA basically both just fly to their hubs from EWR, which makes sense of course.
I think the risk for Delta is that they can't really replicate the Delta One experience at EWR. I suppose AA can't replicate the "Flagship" experience either, but somehow seems much lower stakes.
Anyway, it would be funny! And actually, while @rebel may be joking, a "premium express" with 44 domestic recliners or whatever might actually perform well from EWR to LAX, and would allow DL to not market it as D1.
You might have a bit of a point on daytime flights, but certainly not on those all-nighters. If it was preferable everybody would be doing it.
Plenty of daytime flights between the coasts. And if you want a flat bed, you can just fly UA or fly DL/AA/B6 from JFK. It's exactly what DL is doing in ATL - offering these premium heavy A321s alongside the D1 experience to the west coast. And can just time the A321 flights to not be red eyes.
Between 44 first class seats and 56 extra legroom seats, may well be the type of...
Plenty of daytime flights between the coasts. And if you want a flat bed, you can just fly UA or fly DL/AA/B6 from JFK. It's exactly what DL is doing in ATL - offering these premium heavy A321s alongside the D1 experience to the west coast. And can just time the A321 flights to not be red eyes.
Between 44 first class seats and 56 extra legroom seats, may well be the type of plane that is popular with families flying from EWR versus something more cramped. Just have to market it - "Premium Express" service versus UA's "Coastliner" or whatever.
This dude is universally hated on every blog I have been to, and rightfully so!
Remember when Elizabeth Warren blocked the Spirit merger cuz of consumer protections, or something? I remember.
Elizabeth Warren couldn't block anything. A federal judge did though.
A judge that was appointed by Republican Ronald Reagan, but for some reason, people prefer to blame Biden/Warren/Democrats in general.
Good for her. Anything that expedites the destruction of crap airlines, especially B6.
Idiot
Likely JetBlue was losing big time there. Southwest also pulled out. And despite what people that post on this blog would believe the CEO of JetBlue didn't get a midnight call from the CEO of United or Trump telling her to abandon those routes.
Look who has the 'TDS' now... no, we know Trump doesn't care about this, because he wouldn't make any money off it, personally. Instead, he's focused on his insider trading (3,700 stock trades in just 90 days) and that $1.8 billion slush fund he just created for himself and his cronies.
Perhaps the omission is because you felt it was assumed, but to be clear; these are all routes that UA also serves. On most of them UA will become a monopoly. For PUJ and SDQ, Arajet also flies the route.
Why did JetBlue have a Newark presence in the first place?
Probably for the same reason it has LGA, ISP and HPN presence in the NY metro area, in addition to JFK...
This is a really ignorant comment.
JetBlue has strong brand loyalty in the Northeast.
Why did Alaska try to build up SFO?
The point of me asking questions is to reduce my ignorance
While this does perhaps prime them for a merger, jetBlue also needs to just drop a bunch of P2P stuff and build out banked, connecting hubs with more schedule depth. Kill any route that doesn't touch BOS/JFK/FLL. EWR, MCO, SJU, LGA, etc. are just unwinnable.
Exactly this - the planes and crews to fund FLL growth have to come from somewhere and they have to hold thier JFK slots and try not to lose more ground to DL in BOS. Lucky neglected to mentioned that they have added new flights from FLL to both ORD and IAH - UA hubs. Those will feed B6 flights south of FLL and compete directly against UA for local traffic.
The safeguards for consumer protection no longer exist. If you are corrupt, ruthless and kiss the ring you can take whatever you want. Scott Kirby excels in that arena besides being an awful human being.
And yet... it doesn't have to be this way. This 2nd Gilded Age that we're living through can and should lead to a new progressive era where robust consumer protections do exist. Although it's not necessarily the focus with this jetBlue topic, within aviation, I'd start with air passenger rights legislation, akin to EU/UK261, Canada's APPR; bringing back Rule 240; outlawing AI-driven "surveillance" and "dynamic" pricing. There are a lot of elections this year, including...
And yet... it doesn't have to be this way. This 2nd Gilded Age that we're living through can and should lead to a new progressive era where robust consumer protections do exist. Although it's not necessarily the focus with this jetBlue topic, within aviation, I'd start with air passenger rights legislation, akin to EU/UK261, Canada's APPR; bringing back Rule 240; outlawing AI-driven "surveillance" and "dynamic" pricing. There are a lot of elections this year, including the US midterms in 169 days. Electing better representatives and public servants that aren't in the pockets of these major corporations might be a good start...
The logic is market consolidation and oligopoly of the Big 3 (AA, DL, UA).
Personally, I really want jetBlue to continue as its own airline, because they provide a superior on-board experience (more legroom, live TV, free WiFi, better snacks, and anything, everything MINT.) For B6 to just become United... would be so freakin' sad for so many reasons. Ugh.
@ 1990 -- In theory I'd like JetBlue to remain independent as well, but the airline has lost money for seven years straight, so...
According to @1990 JetBlue just needs to lower fares, give pay raises all around and provide monetary compensation for late flights and the profits would flow. Just do not ask how.
George, you mock (which is welcome, because I sure mock you plenty on here for your typical pro-corporate, pro-capital, anti-worker, anti-consumer sentiments), and yet, look to Ryanair as an example: One of the largest, most profitable carriers in the world, all while complying with EU/UK 261 regulations, having unions, and paying its people reasonably well.
Now, do I want jetBlue to become Ryanair? No, of course not; namely because I really like B6's premium...
George, you mock (which is welcome, because I sure mock you plenty on here for your typical pro-corporate, pro-capital, anti-worker, anti-consumer sentiments), and yet, look to Ryanair as an example: One of the largest, most profitable carriers in the world, all while complying with EU/UK 261 regulations, having unions, and paying its people reasonably well.
Now, do I want jetBlue to become Ryanair? No, of course not; namely because I really like B6's premium product (MINT), and think B6's economy is far superior to Ryanair. So, sure, apples and oranges (N. America vs. Europe; hybird/premium leisure vs. ULCC).
What can jetBlue do? Focus on JFK, BOS, FLL; exit unprofitable markets; get that P&W compensation (from the engine defect); simply the fleet, ditch the older a320s, wisely use those a220 (lower CASM); scale Mint/First (higher RASM); they're really missing out on cards revenue (Barclays isn't Amex, Chase, or even Citi). Or get bought by United. Ugh. You got better ideas, or do you want the oligopoly?
1990, are you really trying to defend Ryanair? Very TD of you.
O'Leary is a billionaire, who are all bad. The record of them working with employees, unionized or not, isn't exactly pristine. Customer treatment, even with the so-called superior consumer protection laws, still allows them to skirt rules very frequently. You might get your 261 claim paid out, maybe. And it's corporate structure is set up in ways to avoid paying as much taxes...
1990, are you really trying to defend Ryanair? Very TD of you.
O'Leary is a billionaire, who are all bad. The record of them working with employees, unionized or not, isn't exactly pristine. Customer treatment, even with the so-called superior consumer protection laws, still allows them to skirt rules very frequently. You might get your 261 claim paid out, maybe. And it's corporate structure is set up in ways to avoid paying as much taxes (which more taxes are always good) as possible. And as with any byzantine rules that the EU dictates, Ryanair is creative about how they do things to be compliant.
See Italian antitrust fine and Berlin base closing as just some recent examples of the exemplary treatment of customers and employees.
Glidescope, did I say everything is perfect at any/everything company? No, certainly not. Ialso was clear in my preference for the on-board experience at jetBlue over Ryanair.
However, let's be clear, in response to George's strawman attack, above, Ryanair is a good example of an airline that operates within those confines.
As for consumer protections, something like EU261 is also not perfect, and could be further streamlined to directly pay passengers, and yet,...
Glidescope, did I say everything is perfect at any/everything company? No, certainly not. Ialso was clear in my preference for the on-board experience at jetBlue over Ryanair.
However, let's be clear, in response to George's strawman attack, above, Ryanair is a good example of an airline that operates within those confines.
As for consumer protections, something like EU261 is also not perfect, and could be further streamlined to directly pay passengers, and yet, having a rule like that is better than nothing, which is the status in the US now.
1.) they're about to get bought by united
2.) they're consolidating their fleet in Fort Lauderdale to jockey for the #1 position there
3.) united is pushing them to do this as united wants a South Florida hub
B6 is becoming the "shadow airline" for UA filling in the blanks where UA is weak. B6 bulking up at FLL also puts minor pressure on MIA which is a AA stronghold which Mr Kirby is happy to see.
However, once B6 comes into play on the stock market, Mr Kirby will need to put up or shut up. He will need to do something soon for no one knows if Rubio or Vance...
B6 is becoming the "shadow airline" for UA filling in the blanks where UA is weak. B6 bulking up at FLL also puts minor pressure on MIA which is a AA stronghold which Mr Kirby is happy to see.
However, once B6 comes into play on the stock market, Mr Kirby will need to put up or shut up. He will need to do something soon for no one knows if Rubio or Vance will be elected once The Donald leaves office.
Might be better if the Star Alliance were to purchase a chunk of B6 in the meantime as a place holder. Therefore, UA could claim it is only "coordinating" with a fellow alliance airline, not "colluding!!" Star could claim its only filling in the UA weak points (JFK, LAX, South Florida) for the domestic leg of Euro & Asian Star carriers. This might pass muster with the current Administration and Attorney General for this prevents B6 from falling into the direct hands of UA, AA, DL, & WN and them morphing into 85-90% of the market. Approximately 17K jobs were lost with NK, does the current Administration want this to happen again? Also, Alaska is not strong enough; don't need "five nationwide carriers" fighting over PAX triggering another Chapter 7 or 11 in the airline industry.
How did UA"s Miami hub work out for them after the demise of PA?
They packed their bags and left pretty quickly.
AA kicked them to the curb.