Originally Posted by Lobaeux

Cash on hand isn't an issue, United could purchase Spirit and finance it with the cash we have on hand.

I believe United purchasing Spirit is the most likely scenario out there, not just for the aircraft but for the pilots as well. A side benefit would be the increased presence in the SE USA and the elimination of a LCC competitor (United hasn't really formed an aggressive strategy against the ULCCs like AA and Delta have).

BUT, I don't think it's going to happen. United is going to look to acquire someone though, eventually. But that's a ways out.