So basically the “big front seats” that spirit was doing?

I agree, I HIGHLY doubt a company in cost saving mode and short aircraft is going to start doing big equipment list changes and galley reconfigurations.

 

And yet they are opening 2 lounges. Not even just one. It’s like some people here would rather see them do absolutely nothing. You know how you get out of cost saving mode? Make money.

 

Barclays is paying for the two lounges.

 

Supermid said "it’s a last minute knee-jerk reaction" and others (not here) have been saying the same. I would disagree since "last minute knee-jerk" wouldn't have those proposals that has been getting updated throughout this year.

I would also say the last few years was focused on the M&A with NK. I doubt there would be any execution of "plan B" if "plan A" went through. We would've had other bigger plans and first class seat would've gone on the back burner. So I don't think it's reasonable to say that they should've annouced this a year or 2 ago when bigger things were in play.

 

I have not read anything by anyone here or elsewhere recommending the company does nothing, not sure where you’re going there.

The lounges are a good idea and I hope it succeeds, execution will be critical.

 

It seems pretty obvious that these announcements are timed to help shape market sentiment. You don't tell the world that you're spending a bunch of cash on fleet upgrades, etc. when you just told them you're losing millions of dollars. You wait until later in the year when the infinitesimal attention spans have moved on, then the market will reward you for decisively responding to shifting consumer demand, rather than punish you for failing to execute effective cost saving initiatives, or whatever.

 

I’m not doubting you because I don’t know much about that kind of thing, but wasn’t there talk for a while that they weren’t going to because of the high costs?

 

The speculation on this forum is interesting and I think we will see some changes soon…

I could see SWA taking a hard look at JetBlue in the near future. They honestly could compliment each other well with the network and aircraft. Plus, AS is busy merging with Hawaiian and I doubt the DOJ will allow 3 mergers at once.

Very long term, I can see Delta, American, United, and Southwest eventually merging with the rest of the LCCs and just leaving primarily 4 major airlines.

I believe United will merge/aquire with Spirit before they go with JetBlue. Kirby has already been talking about Spirit for a while.

 

Agreed, I don’t think it is crazy to see UA make a move for NK. That would set off another round of consolidation for all the big players. DL/F9? AA/JB? WN/AS?

 

My money is still on Alaska at some point during this administrations term. It would coast through most regulation hurdles. I think Icahn and that other investor that jumped in recently are cost around $6ish. I could see them wanted to cash out via merger/acquisition and walk w/ the bag at 2-3x. These guys are too smart to want to hold onto airline stock long term. To be honest it would probably be better for all employees long term. To be folded into a full service national network. Jb, no profits for 6+ years, hoping to just break even 2025. We need to be cranking out 100’s of millions of dollars in profit per quarter for the next 5+ years just to keep this train running long term. An East coast only airline just isn't built for long term survivability/profitability. Way too many obstacles.. wx, atc, costs, competition. We have no real advantage over any carrier to charge a premium. I certainly hope jetforward works and I’m wrong.