Who will merge/partner with JetBlue?

[FlyBoeingJets]

This may not happen for awhile but I think it's inevitable. Neeleman has done deals before and I think he will do it again when times get tough.


I think JetBlue and Airtran make the most sense for a merger with routes and compensation looking complimentary. But the fleets don't mesh well, IMHO. If it is just a partnership it would work well.

JetBlue--Alaska would be o.k. too. Could be merger. Would be harder to integrate. Not best match. Good match for just a partnership.

JetBlue--SWA. No way. Anti-trust and control issues.

JetBlue--Frontier. I wonder. I don't see much gain for the cost of this merger/partnersip.

What do I mean by a partnership? I don't exactly know. Something more than a codeshare. Something where there is a financial link. World bought North American and they are keeping the companies separate with one owner.

Then there is the possibility JetBlue could use bank money to buy NWA or DAL to get them out of BK. Or the other way around at a later date. Don't laugh, could happen. I think the DAL idea is more doable than the NWA. Both long shots.

 

[HoursHore]

A Jetblue, Airtran, Frontier, Triumvarate

3 Geographically distinct hubs that all cherry pick thier routes.

 

[SoCentralRain]

This may not happen for awhile but I think its inevitable. Neeleman has done deals before and I think he will do it again when times get tough.


I think JetBlue and Airtran make the most sense for a merger with routes and compensation looking complimentary. But the fleets don't mesh well, IMHO. If it is just a partnership it would work well.

JetBlue--Alaska would be o.k. too. Could be merger. Would be harder to integrate. Not best match. Good match for just a partnership.

JetBlue--SWA. No way. Anti-trust and control issues.

JetBlue--Frontier. I wonder. I don't see much gain for the cost of this merger/partnersip.

What do I mean by a partnership? I don't exactly know. Something more than a codeshare. Something where there is a financial link.

Huh? JetBlue merging/partnering/holding hands with Airtran/Alaska/Frontier/SWA? Why not throw in ATA, Midwest, Great Lakes and Big Sky? They are all just as implausible.

Must be a slow day.

::shrug::

SCR

 

[A350]

Things are as tough as they can get in the business........right now.

A350

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Huh? JetBlue merging/partnering/holding hands with Airtran/Alaska/Frontier/SWA? Why not throw in ATA, Midwest, Great Lakes and Big Sky? They are all just as implausible.

SCR

ATA has their partner already, SWA.

I think someone will feel compelled to buy/merge/partner with JetBlue. And I think JetBlue will feel compelled to do a deal too.

Maybe Midwest will get in the act too, but I think their small size will hurt their chances. Is anyone eyeing up their hub or routes?

 

[zkmayo]

I know never say never, but everything Neeleman and other senior mgmt has said is that they dont believe in mergers. They believe they have a terrible track record with very limited success (he quoted Western and DAL being the only one that came to mind) and that its not a vehicle to profitability, stability, or good employee relations.

 

[zkmayo]

ATA has their partner already, SWA.

I think someone will feel compelled to buy/merge/partner with JetBlue. And I think JetBlue will feel compelled to do a deal too.

Maybe Midwest will get in the act too, but I think their small size will hurt their chances. Is anyone eyeing up their hub or routes?

Airtran and Midex merger maybe....

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

United--JetBlue. Very interesting possibility. Only the JetBlue--Airtran deal looks more likely to me.

Yeah, I know this is all relatively unlikely....right now. In 2006 we will see some merger type activity or public company comments on merger ideas/plans.

Consider this prediction as a counter to Lowecur's prediction that oil will go down to $45/barrel. Don't you have to have a prediction to be a flightinfo member in good standing?

 

[jetdawg]

A Jetblue, Airtran, Frontier, Triumvarate

3 Geographically distinct hubs that all cherry pick thier routes.


You might as well throw Delta in there at least in ATL everywhere we go, they pretty much go. Do not forget United in DEN pretty much everywhere Frontier goes they do. There pretty much is one airline in that group that cherry picks. SKIPPY

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

A little while ago the rumors about NWA--DAL were rampant. I don't think that is anywhere close to being considered, let alone even likely.

NWA--DAL can only be considered when key contracts and costs are firmed up. But I don't think that will do the trick. NWA management may want to do a deal, but I think they want to do it after BK and they want to be the buyer. That kind of deal is 2 or more years in the future.

I predict DAL will spend longer in BK as the court battles rage on pension and debt issues. Delta simply owes more money for its size and for the value of its assets and revenue generators. Their assets appear to be more highly leveraged. I may be surprised at Delta's awesome revenue in 2006, and I hope I am, but it looks like there is more work for Delta's lawyers than NWA's.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

My crystal ball is opaque on AA and CAL. AA may be averse to deal making since the TWA deal.

I see them both wanting internal growth.

 

[Clyde]

I Wouldn't Rule Anything Out

In this industry, very little seems to surprise me anymore. Mergers seem to be as big a part of airline history as is being away from home.

I haven't done the homework on this yet, but I am curious as to how many mergers/buyouts there have been in the airline industry since the 1940's. I would be willing to bet that the number would be quite high.

 

[zkmayo]

United--JetBlue. Very interesting possibility. Only the JetBlue--Airtran deal looks more likely to me.

Yeah, I know this is all relatively unlikely....right now. In 2006 we will see some merger type activity or public company comments on merger ideas/plans.

Consider this prediction as a counter to Lowecur's prediction that oil will go down to $45/barrel. Don't you have to have a prediction to be a flightinfo member in good standing?

Steve Forbes (insert your thoughts here, but hey he's made alot more $ in this world than I have) said today he sees oil going to $35. Lets all hope so.

 

[radarlove]

I had heard the rumor that UAL was looking at JBLU prior to Sept. 11th, any truth to that?

 

[Clyde]

These Come to Mind:

Some are mergers, and some are buyouts.

Pan Am/National
Allegheny/Mohawk
USAir/Piedmont
USAirways/America West (to be determined)
North Central/Hughes Airwest/Bonanza/Southern
Northwest Orient/Republic
TWA/Ozark
American/TWA
American/Transcarribean
Delta/Western
Delta/Northeast
Southwest/Morris Air
FedEx/Flying Tigers
Continental/People's Express (?)

The above are the ones that come to mind. I'm sure there are more out there, but I'm too lazy to actually do some research this afternoon. Maybe later.

Anyways, mergers and buyouts are not uncommon, and I personally wouldn't be surprised by any mergers announced in the industry.

 

[bestpilot]

Fed Ex and Da Tranny

 

[bestpilot]

Do any of da peeps know ahead a time, cause if dey do, it be cool to be like plannin my e-trade stuff and starts an early retirement, yknow, likes drinkin brewskies an like postin like crazy ole stupid stuff on like flightinfo. Aaaaah, yeah, if I cooods retire, I cooods be postin like as much as like da General. Like deese mergers just lika be comin outta nowhere and I tinks dats da way its always gonna be.

I be like listnen to like da Forrest Gump school cause life is lika a box a chocklits, cause yooo aint ever knowin whats your gonna git!

 

[73-Driver]

Midwest and Jetblue.

Forget about Airtran!

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Midwest and Jetblue.

Forget about Airtran!

That sounds interesting. I understand Midwest has some pay bumps that will make them better paid than JetBlue. A plan too. Would be difficult to merge unless the midwest guys suck it up. Partner would be o.k.

I'm thinking we will have medium sized carriers wanting to join forces to fend off bigger competitors or other partnerships. The little guys like Midwest may not fulfill JetBlue's desire for a similar sized partner. As deals start to happen you might have a mad scramble to find a partner before the music stops and someone gets left out in the cold.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Personally and professionally, this most likely will never happen. Dave and David have mentioned that we won't dilute our product in any way. There are too many legalities and liabilities with mergers/code shares... Additionally, if that was the case, we'd get Shuttle America or Air Wisconsin to fly our 190s, instead, we're doing something that every Red-Headed Stepchild feeder would rather be a part of-- we're going to treat them like family... It remains to be seen, but hey, who knows what the industry will look like in a year, or tomorrow!!!

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Personally and professionally, this most likely will never happen. Dave and David have mentioned that we won't dilute our product in any way. There are too many legalities and liabilities with mergers/code shares...

I agree the current forecast is for all growth to be inhouse. Maybe we'll sit and watch some carriers wither while others keep growing. That would reward the companies with well thought out, and available, growth opportunities. But someone always wants a short cut to market dominance or stability. I'm thinking Neeleman will get impatient or sense some opportunity.

Just a crazy prediction.

 

[B6Driver]

JetBlue will not be bought or merged with any legacy carrier because they choose not to and no current legacy carrier has anything we want. Say what you wish but most JB pilots have enough mileage in the industry and bad memories of airline history to follow such a hollow pipe dream. Not for sale!
Fire away, I've heard it all before.

 

[Skank]

Any ideas about accelerated vesting, or the split? I don't want to be a conspiracy theorist, but the contract mentions accelerated vesting. I wish I knew if it was all about the taxes, or what, but I have no clue. Someone smart enlighten me!

 

[Formula1]

I think that JetBlue will merge or buy out Frontier. Same aircraft type and I believe they even buy their on-board T.V. from the company that is owned by JetBlue- Same aircraft, same product only from a different hub.Now Southwest is coming to town (DEN) in early 2006. I am sure that Frontier is wondering how they are going to compete with SWA out of DEN? They (SWA) are going to be flying to up to 40 different cities and I am sure that alot of them will be similar city pairs to Frontier. I may be crazy but I think that this would be a perfect merger- and you would finally see JetBlue go head to head out of one hub against SWA. Which would you choose- Satelite TV with assigned seating or No assigned seating with no inflight entertainment? I know- you can always bring your Ipod for entertainment.

 

[G4G5]

The similarities between Jetblue and Frontier don't exist. Jetblue flies A320's with IAE 2500 engines. Frontier flies A319 and 318's with CFM56's engines. Their is too much product overlap with the A318 and the EJR195.

 

[furloughfodder]

If they merged with Mesa, ASA, SkyWest, Air Wisconsin?

They wouldn't have to change the pay scales!

Bah Dum Pa Bum!

 

[Flechas]

Does JB have enough cash to buy another airline?

 

[typhoonpilot]

JetBlue code-sharing with somebody out of JFK or starting their own international division is more realistic. They've got the feed at one of the world's pre-eminent international hubs, why not capitilize on that?

TP

P.S. If they get 777s, I'd be willing to come in as an instructor .

 

[Spectre]

...VirginUSA

 

[Eaglepuke]

I cannot see jetBlue codesharing anytime soon. They are concerned with quality and they are not going to let another company they have no control over tarnish there products image.