JetBlue's $3.8B merger with Spirit goes to court. Who will win?

November 7, 2023

Ravi Sarathy offers his thoughts on the ongoing trial between the U.S. Government and JetBlue after the airline announced a merger with the ultra-budget carrier, Spirit.

Spirit and JetBlue planes intersecting on a runway

Professor of International Business and Strategy and airline expert Ravi Sarathy offers his thoughts on the ongoing trial between the U.S. Government and JetBlue after the airline announced a $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines.

Currently, JetBlue operates in a liminal space between the big four airlines that control 80% of the market and the ultra-budget carriers like Spirit. According to Sarathy, the Justice Department fears rising prices should the merger be successful, hurting consumers.

“I think it's in [JetBlue's] best interest to try to negotiate with the Justice Department” says Sarathy.