United and JetBlue Can Help Each Other — If Regulators Let Them
A partnership solves problems for both airlines, especially in the Northeast, as long as they can avoid antitrust objections.
A match made for the Northeast.
Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images
You have to give credit to JetBlue Airways Corp. for doggedly pursuing a deal to expand its scale. The money-losing airline tried a Northeast partnership with American Airlines Group Inc. and an acquisition of Spirit Airlines Inc. Both those agreements were shot down in federal court after being challenged by the Justice Department during the administration of President Joe Biden.
Trying again, the Long Island City-based airline announced on Thursday a partnership with United Airlines Holding Inc. to give JetBlue customers access to a much larger and sophisticated network. JetBlue is wagering the Justice Department under President Donald Trump will take a more favorable stance on airline deals. It’s a good bet.