JetBlue is seeking permission to merge with Spirit Airlines. The U.S. Department of Justice is working to block the purchase. Does this make sense for air travelers?
JetBlue sells itself as an upscale low-cost airline, with 34 inches of seat pitch and no-cost amenities for which other airlines charge a fee. Spirit is the ultimate low-cost carrier, offering low fares with a la carte add-ons that permit travelers to choose the amenities and services they want.
On the surface, the two airlines appear to be odd bedfellows for merging. Yet merging airlines is far more than just repainting airplanes and reconfiguring cabin seats.
