Skift

Episode Notes A federal judge blocked the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger, putting an end to the two airlines’ attempt to create the fifth-largest carrier in the U.S. Why did JetBlue pursue a merger with Spirit Airlines? One key reason is Florida, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi and Jay Shabat, senior analyst for Skift’s Airline Weekly.  While Florida is a major market for JetBlue, the New York-based airline doesn’t have much pricing power for those flights. Maharishi and Shabat note that absorbing Spirit in a merger would have eliminated a major competitor known for pushing down airfares. Travelers would have had one less option and probably would have seen higher fares. U.S. District Court Judge William Young wrote the merger would lead to less competition in the industry since Spirit is the largest ultra-low-cost carrier. JetBlue and Spirit directly compete on roughly 40 routes to Florida.  Next, Airbnb has announced it’s forming a housing council to help the company better engage with communities