Skift

Episode Notes A new report said JetBlue Airways is planning to raise airfares on routes flown by Spirit Airlines by as much as 40% if the two carriers’ proposed merger is approved, reports Edward Russell, editor of Skift publication Airline Weekly.  JetBlue would increase fares between 24% and 40%, according to a report by legal news service Law360. The report cited documents released as part of a lawsuit brought by travelers looking to block the JetBlue-Spirit deal. The travelers suing JetBlue argued that the proposed merger would reduce competition for consumers. Russell notes their lawsuit is separate from the U.S. Department of Justice’s suit to stop the merger.  JetBlue said in a statement that, without context, the information gave a “completely inaccurate picture of the facts” and that the proposed merger would result in low fares and better service.  Russell adds that while airfares rose substantially last year, the average domestic airfare has dropped below pre-Covid levels.  Next, travelers flying Q