JetBlue said late Tuesday that the offer was “superior” to the merger agreement between Spirit and Frontier announced in February and was the “most attractive opportunity” for Spirit shareholders.
The offer could thwart Spirit and Frontier’s well-designed plans to create a low-cost airline that can better compete with American, Delta, United and Southwest airlines. JetBlue makes a similar suggestion about a JetBlue-Spirit combination and says it brings something extra to the table for Spirit passengers: its favorite benefits and in-flight service. IMPACT OF THE TRAVEL: What the Spirit-Frontier merger would mean for passengers NEW SOUTHWEST NIGHT: Flight cancellation and you want to transfer the credit to someone? Southwest will leave you soon – for a price “Customers do not have to choose between a low fare and a great experience, and JetBlue has shown that it is possible to have both,” said JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes. “Combining JetBlue and Spirit – combined with the incredible benefits of our Northeast Alliance with American Airlines – would change the game in our ability to deliver nationwide value to customers, crew members, communities and shareholders.” Hayes told JetBlue employees in a note after the announcement of the proposed deal that the pairing is not as strange as it seems. “We can all agree that Spirit has a very different brand and product from JetBlue, so at first glance you might not think we would make a great couple,” Hayes said. “However, when you dig deeper, you will realize we could fit in perfectly.” JetBlue said the combined airline, which will be the fifth largest in the country in terms of annual revenue and will be named JetBlue, will be a stronger competitor in Florida, where both airlines already have a strong presence. The airline said it would also be able to offer more flights to the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Spirit currently serves cities not served by JetBlue, including St. Memphis, Tennessee? and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Spirit, Frontier airlines are responding to the surprise offer of JetBlue merger

Spirit said in a statement that it was evaluating the offer. “In accordance with its trusting duties, Spirit ‘s board of directors will work with its financial and legal advisers to evaluate JetBlue’ s proposal and follow the course of action that is in the best interests of Spirit and its shareholders.” the company said in a statement. Frontier is already under attack, saying a JetBlue-Spirit merger would not be good for travelers. “In contrast to the exciting Spirit-Frontier combination, the acquisition of Spirit by JetBlue, a high-fare carrier, would lead to more expensive travel for consumers,” the Denver-based airline said in a statement. “In particular, the significant overlap of the East Coast between JetBlue and Spirit would reduce competition and limit consumer choices. sues to block their (northeastern) pending alliance with American Airlines. “ JetBlue and Spirit overlapped in 11% of scheduled flights in 2021, compared to about 18% overlap between Frontier and Spirit, according to aviation data company Cirium. The story goes on below. Spirit and Frontier Airlines announce the merger Economic airlines Spirit and Frontier have announced that they will merge. The agreement is expected to close in the second half of 2022. Staff Video, USA TODAY

The Spirit-Frontier merger was announced in February

Spirit and Frontier announced an agreement in February to create the country’s fifth-largest airline by seat capacity and the seventh largest by annual revenue. The CEOs of both airlines have been shouting benefits for travelers ever since. JetBlue and Spirit flights focus on the east coast, while Spirit and Frontier have power at opposite ends of the country. JetBlue and Spirit were among the hardest hit by heavy flight cancellations at the weekend that stuck travelers across the country during the busy spring break. Spirit continued to race on Tuesday, with 17% of its flight canceled and an additional 23% delayed, according to FlightAware.