Why A New JetBlue Offer is Complicating Things for Spirit Airlines

The travel industry has been a bit complicated over the past couple of years, especially if you’re trying to fly somewhere.

Orlando Airport

There are new requirements on planes like wearing masks, many flights have been canceled due to the pandemic, and new routes have been added as well. The airlines themselves have even been changing. We previously told you about Spirit Airlines’ plans to combine with Frontier Airlines, but now, all of that might be changing.

JetBlue Airways has made a BIG offer to buy Spirit Airlines — $3.6 billion, all in cash, according to CNBC.

©Spirit Airlines

This, of course, raises questions about the Spirit and Frontier Airlines merger, which would make them the 5th largest airline in the United States. Spirit said that its board was evaluating JetBlue’s proposal and will “pursue the course of action it determines to be in the best interests of Spirit and its stockholders.”

©Frontier Airlines

CNBC says that this competition for Spirit Airlines shows the desire for consolidation in the airline industry after two difficult years due to the pandemic. Carriers are now trying to hire pilots, flight attendants, and other workers as the travel industry rebounds.

Orlando International Airport

Both Spirit and Frontier Airlines only fly planes in the Airbus A320 family, which are also the aircraft that make up the majority of the planes in JetBlue’s fleet. Spirit is headquartered in Florida, which is also where JetBlue has a large operation. But, if JetBlue did acquire Spirit, they would keep their headquarters where it is now in New York.

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Frontier Airlines says that if Spirit were to be bought by JetBlue, it would make travel more expensive, saying “In particular, the significant East Coast overlap between JetBlue and Spirit would reduce competition and limit options for consumers.”