Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Candace Protzman
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy

Spirit Airlines Says It Will Now “Engage” JetBlue in Talks After $3.6 Billion Offer

by Daniel McCarthy / April 08, 2022
Spirit Airlines Says It Will Now “Engage” JetBlue in Talks After $3.6 Billion Offer

Spirit is now engaging JetBlue in acquisition talks. Photo: Greg K__ca / Shutterstock.com.


The acquisition of Spirit Airlines by JetBlue is gaining momentum.

Spirit Airlines on Thursday said that, despite news earlier this year that it had agreed to a merger with low-cost competitor Frontier, it is planning to engage JetBlue in talks.

Spirit said that JetBlue’s offer, an “unsolicited offer” that came in at $33 per share all in cash, could reasonably be likely to lead to a “Superior Proposal” than the one that came from Frontier’s parent company Frontier Group Holdings. Spirit is still bound by its earlier agreement with Frontier, however, it said it will start to engage JetBlue in talks to explore the possibility of an acquisition by the carrier.

JetBlue’s offer is reportedly, in total, around $3.6 billion to acquire Spirit, more than the $2.9 billion cash-and-stock merger deal that was on the table with Frontier.

Even with that news, Spirit’s Board is still recommending its shareholders vote to adopt the merger with Frontier, a deal that was agreed to in February and was expected to close sometime in the second half of 2022.

Whether it's JetBlue or Frontier, an acquisition of a major U.S. air carrier by another is expected to face heavy regulatory scrutiny and pressure. Some lawmakers in the U.S. have already expressed concerns.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in terms of domestic market share for 2021 by revenue, JetBlue was the sixth-largest carrier, Spirit the seventh, and Frontier the ninth. A combination of either Frontier and Spirit or JetBlue and Spirit would create an airline that ranks fifth overall in terms of market share, still below the U.S.’s “Big Four” carriers—American, Southwest, Delta, and United—but above Alaska Airlines.

  2
  0
Related Articles
JetBlue, Yotel Partner to Maximize Loyalty Member Rewards
JetBlue Will Not Appeal Northeast Alliance Ruling
JetBlue Debuts Brand New Look with Refreshed Livery
American Airlines and JetBlue Get More Time to Unwind Northeast Alliance
JetBlue Announces New Direct Flights from New York to St. Kitts
Federal Judge Strikes Down American Airlines and JetBlue’s 'Northeast Alliance'
JetBlue Reveals Start Dates for Amsterdam Flights
JetBlue’s New TrueBlue Loyalty Program Will Kick-Off Next Month
JetBlue to Add New York to Amsterdam Service Later this Summer
JetBlue Just Changed the Way It Issues Travel Credits

MOST VIEWED

  1. Maui Fires Update: Which Hotels and Resorts Are Open and Closed After Lahaina Fires
  2. FAA Issues Nationwide Ground Stop for United Airlines Flights
  3. Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent
  4. Hurricane Lee's Uncertain Path Raises Some Travel Concerns
  5. Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing
  6. Hurricane Lee Intensifies to Category 5: Caribbean and U.S. Impact Uncertain


  1. Two Florida Ports Remain Closed After Hurricane Idalia
  2. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  3. Idalia Expected to Hit Florida as ‘Extremely Dangerous Major Hurricane’ on Wednesday
  4. Hurricane Lee Update: Storm Poses Threat to New England and Atlantic Canada
  5. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence
  6. Cruise Ships Reroute to Avoid Hurricane Idalia
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=8eb8c379-4b59-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

Why Every Travel Advisor Needs a Business Plan…And How to Start One

A business plan is not just a document; it's your compass. 

Read More...
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
New York City Declares State of Emergency as Historic Rainfall Sparks Widespread Flooding
New York City Declares State of Emergency as Historic Rainfall Sparks Widespread Flooding

Travel from New York City airports is being impacted. 

Read...
Travel Industry Could Feel Real Pain from U.S. Government Shutdown
Travel Industry Could Feel Real Pain from U.S. Government Shutdown

A shutdown would cost the travel economy as much as $140 million per day, 

Read...
Delta Air Lines Is Rethinking SkyMiles and SkyClub Changes
Delta Air Lines Is Rethinking SkyMiles and SkyClub Changes

"I think we moved too fast," CEO Ed Bastian said this week. 

Read...
Reports: New EU Visa Program ETIAS Won’t Start Until 2025
Reports: New EU Visa Program ETIAS Won’t Start Until 2025

The long-talked-about visa program for inbound travelers to Europe is reportedly delayed yet again.

Read...
Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent
Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent

Members of Southwest’s pilots' union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

Read...
Hurricane Lee Nears New England and Atlantic Canada: Airline Waivers and Cruise Changes
Hurricane Lee Nears New England and Atlantic Canada: Airline Waivers and Cruise Changes

Even after losing strength, Lee is a "large and dangerous storm." 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
European Travel Trends 2023 Outlook
CP White Paper 1
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
View All
industry insider
industry-insider.jpg
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=f22339b7-9c5b-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
What Does Social Media Really Mean?
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=19a07eaa-b65e-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
MasterAdvisor 77: Tips for Making the Move to the Luxury Travel Segment
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy