Are you the type of frequent flyer that hates exorbitant prices and leg room? Looks like Christmas came early. The boards of Frontier and Spirit airlines approved a merger agreement that will create the fifth largest US airline. According to Spirit CEO Ted Christie:
“The transaction is centered around creating an aggressive low-fare competitor that will better serve guests, expand career opportunities for our team members and create value for our shareholders […] We believe we are a perfect fit with Frontier. Our businesses share similar values, including our long-standing commitment to affordable travel.”
As it stands, Spirit and Frontier are big names in the low-fare market. Some “you get what you pay for” outsiders looking may brush away Spirit or Frontier as options not worth spending money on from the jump. For the American Airlines flyers, this tweet is for you.
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Two trash cans coming together to create a dumpster. https://t.co/PNqfoATN26
— DB (@DBTweetin_) February 7, 2022
As rough as that was, the biggest criticism may be coming from the FTC. Because while yes, low fare-hunting consumers may have only had a choice between Spirit and Frontier, a choice between two still suggests some sort of competition for customers. Biden made it clear that he intends for ye olde antitrust to ramp up under his administration. And while the Frontier/Spirit merger may make sense on paper, the airlines’ combination will be testing the waters — foretelling how the FTC will respond to mergers and increases in market share and influence. They’re already seeming to prep for such a response. Take Frontier chairman Bill Franke’s championing of the combination, claiming it will “create America’s most competitive ultra-low fare airline for the benefit of consumers.” It doesn’t take much familiarity with the field to know that this is clear antitrust jargon for “please don’t sue our asses for doing this.”
I say let the mergers merge and the haters hate — I recently dumpster dove on a flight back from Texas and it was beautiful. Sure there was a bit of turbulence, but few things bring that zest for life back quite like some stratospheric tumblies.
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I know I joke, but I look forward to what may come if this merger goes through. It is easy to soothsay doom when companies gain more market share, but consumers have occasionally had a better time post merger. Maybe Frontier joining the fold could help with whatever led to Spirit’s flight cancelling spree? When push comes to shove, I’m sure the seats will be comfortable enough for the ride. And if the seats happen to go the way of complimentary snacks (which Spirit got rid of to help keep down costs), you won’t have to worry about doing that mental calculation to figure out if it’s time to stand yet once the plane lands. Word to the wise — consider getting one of those Buzzballs margaritas.
Frontier And Spirit To Merge, Creating Fifth-Largest Airline In U.S. In $6.6 Billion Deal [CNBC]
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim, a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at [email protected] and by tweet at @WritesForRent.