Unfortunately there is too much domestic capacity in the US. What is the best way to raise fares in an environment like this? Hence why no airlines have yet to come out and buy the smaller Spirit.
SWA is only interested in strategic real estate as every other airline is too. Domestic capacity is still a problem. Most airlines last quarter saw a drop in domestic yields. Until that goes the other way, most airlines will sit on the sidelines this time. I still say Frontier is the one that may jump in. Gives them scale.