"JetBlue is quietly shopping for a buyer, having tapped advisers to assess selling itself to a rival. The airline has scenario-planned how deals with United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Southwest Airlines might be received by regulators in Washington."
"The move comes after JetBlue's attempt to acquire Spirit Airlines was blocked on antitrust grounds in 2024. Since then, JetBlue shares have dropped more than 40% and the airline has struggled to compete with higher-end carriers like United and Delta."
"United has long entertained buying JetBlue, but won't budge on price. The airlines already let customers book flights on each other's apps and redeem frequent-flier points."
"Any merger would face antitrust scrutiny, but deals are getting done under the current administration, indicating a potential shift in regulatory attitudes."
JetBlue is seeking a buyer and has engaged advisers to evaluate potential sales to United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Southwest Airlines. Following the failed acquisition of Spirit Airlines in 2024 due to antitrust issues, JetBlue's shares have fallen over 40%. The airline faces challenges competing with premium carriers like United and Delta while losing budget-conscious customers to Spirit and Frontier. Although United has shown interest in acquiring JetBlue, price negotiations remain a hurdle. Any merger would likely encounter antitrust scrutiny, but recent deals suggest a more favorable regulatory environment.
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