Why the the JetBlue/Spirit Merger Block Is Good News for Fliers, According to a Travel Expert

17.01.2024 - 15:37 / travelandleisure.com / Spirit Airlines / Katy Nastro / Merrick Garland / U.S.Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a much-anticipated merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, but experts say that’s good news for travelers.

“In the last [two] decades, U.S. airline mergers have created the big four airlines, which many of us come to favor,” Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Going.com, toldTravel + Leisure. “However, low-cost carriers have expanded their footprint in the states offering more affordable options for consumers when it comes to flights. People may not realize how valuable it is to have low-cost carriers like Spirit in the mix, since competition is the single biggest reason for why we have cheap flights."

“Without them, we would have seen a gut punch to cheap flights as we know it,” Nastro added.

JetBlue first announced its intentions to buy the low-cost airline for $3.8 billion in 2022 in a move that would make it the fifth largest carrier in the United States. This isn’t the first time JetBlue has come under fire for anti-trust issues: a U.S. judge similarly ordered JetBlue and American Airlines to end their alliance last year, which JetBlue subsequently decided not to appeal.

The federal judge in Massachusetts ruled the merger was unlawful because it violated antitrust laws, according to the Department of Justice. The ruling follows a 17-day trial that started in October.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for tens of millions of travelers who would have faced higher fares and fewer choices had the proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit been allowed to move forward,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s antitrust laws to protect American consumers.” 

On Wednesday, JetBlue and Spirit told Travel + Leisure in a joint statement the airlines disagree with the ruling.

“We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase much needed competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more customers in more markets while enhancing our ability to compete with the dominant U.S. carriers,” the airlines told T+L in the statement, adding, “We are reviewing the court’s decision and are evaluating our next steps as part of the legal process.”

JetBlue isn’t the only airline eyeing a merger. Earlier this month, Alaska Airlines announced its intentions to purchase Hawaiian Airlines, but said it would plan to maintain both the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands while integrating both into a “single operating platform.” That merger is also subject to government approval.