Based on investor presentations, JB sees growing international flying as where the $ is to be had. Spirit, on the other hand, sees the $ is to be made domestically. Part of that could be JB has a much more developed domestic market, and so there's not much 'low hanging fruit' for their business model in the US, while Spirit, with a lower cost structure and a more developed international market, sees the 'low hanging fruit' to be had in the US. I'm not sure just watching the FLL market is a good representation of the strength of the two players. As it is, Spirit was the #1 carrier in FLL in 2011, but JB was top dog in 2012.

Another angle to watch in the FLL market is the airport infrastructure. Spirit operates out of the 'international' concourse now, while JB has to tug all their aircraft over to their concourse after an international arrival. That international terminal is due to be torn down, and a gate shuffle will ensue. Whoever ends up with the new 'international gates' or gates closest to the international gates when the concourse gets rebuilt will be telling of the future plans for FLL.

The real horse to watch is Southwest. They're the #3 airline in FLL, and they don't fly internationally at all . . . yet. An international 'focus city', gates right next to the new south runway - its an intriguing thought.