Reading the United forum, sounds like in the leadership meeting it was mentioned that there's no interest in them buying anyone (Not that I thought UA would ever buy us) and they're also looking for more JFK slots beyond what they get from us so it sounds like they really want to have a strong presence at JFK. Also depressing to see how much they're expanding while we stagnate and shrink.

09-07-2025 | 01:50 AM

#14045

PeakEGT

Line Holder

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 517

Likes: 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYLflyer

Same, it’s upsetting that we view the XLR as a separate fleet type at the moment, when even AA is seeing the value in its deployment. Could’ve been used to hit niche destinations in the EU. I guess VRB and DAB are the Floridas Riviera

09-07-2025 | 02:22 AM

#14046

khergan

Line Holder

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 645

Likes: 170

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYLflyer

Considering UA leadership has now publicly stated they want to hire in the thousands by end of 2026, it doesn't make any sense to merge with anyone. The internal growth they can achieve by hiring people at year 1 negates any reason to merge and take pilots at the top of the scale from elsewhere.

09-07-2025 | 05:11 AM

#14047

Hedley

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Aug 2020

Posts: 2,648

Likes: 99

Quote:

Originally Posted by khergan

One of the things said was that scheduled deliveries would equal JetBlue’s fleet every 2-3 years and that there was no need to even entertain the idea of a costly and time consuming merger. They just want to chip their way back into JFK.

09-07-2025 | 06:08 AM

#14048

Flyby1206

SDQ Base Chief

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 6,051

Likes: 33

From: 320 CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedley

I tend to agree with this. I think the best scenario for UA would be to have JB as a codeshare partner at the most. That would allow UA to only focus on a handful of primo JFK routes while giving their frequent fliers access to JB JFK routes. A UA/JB merger would likely mean eventual reductions in JFK (keeping EWR as the main NYC focus) which would give DL more room to grow their JFK market.

As a JB pilot I wish UA would merge with us but don’t see the benefit from the UA point of view. I really wish that JB could have had both AA and UA as codeshare partners instead of being forced to go one way or another. (Yes I know JB/UA are not codeshare partners now but feel it is heading that way in 6-12mo)

Last edited by Flyby1206; 09-07-2025 at 06:48 AM.

09-07-2025 | 10:37 AM

#14049

RiddleEagle18

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 2,690

Likes: 30

If AA is really in danger of becoming a distant 3rd to DAL and UAL, as Kirby loves to say, it may be AA that forces UAL hand.

If AA starts poking around and offers a nice multiple on JBLU all bets are off.