With that much "duplicity", there won't be jobs for everyone.

I’d think an F9 merger would make more sense. Compatible airframes and business model, potential to expand from coast to coast in North America. And Caribbean and Central America. Eventually even Hawaii and Europe with 321 XLRs.

unfortunately 321XLR doesn’t offer payload (high density seating configuration) and range at the same time, so I don’t think Europe will happen anytime soon. I hope I am wrong though!

The one thing I question about a F9/NK merger is would that be desirable from either point of view since keeping costs extremely low is the most important factor in their success? Mergers are expensive, no matter how you look at it, and I am not sure Indigo would see that much benefit considering the expense. I doubt NK would want that either if they were the ones in the driver's seat.

Now would it make more financial sense for a bigger carrier who had a different motive than maintaining ULCC levels of CASM? I think so, thats why NK would be more attractive to others.

I'm an outsider looking in, but I do think that NK is the most attractive merger target in the industry. Buckle up folks.

F9 is owned by Private Equity aka hedge funds which typically "explore" and "play" with different things. F9 is private, not traded on stock market.

JBLU/SAVE are both publicly traded, ALPA, etc.

just me, seems like two partners with similar "goals" and personalities.

I’m sure somebody doesn’t make it and one or two unlikely dance partners hook up. Or maybe pretty much everyone pairs off once moves start happening.

An NKS merger with F9 would provide a nationwide ULCC. The models are different, 4 different engine types and it would likely be Franke buying as he wouldn’t sell them cheap to anyone. B6 would have a lot of overlap and East Coast fortress hubs with common engines, but very different products. The NKS order could be modified to fit their XLR and 220 notions.

Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if anyone other than AA decided to merge with or buy us.

Going big into South America is an interesting angle. I just don’t know that we have the wherewithal to take advantage of that opening any time soon. But someone will fill the void.

I don’t think Europe would happen anytime soon either. But, the 321Neo XLR did 10.5 hours with 240 simulated passengers and bags. Seychelles to Toulouse. So it’s got the range.

XLR
 

Reading the more technical analysis of the XLR and industry response there was consensus that the XLR if it arrives as spec'd could be a game changing aircraft. NB economics with Wide Body range. The only negative for extended cruise was a comparatively high cabin altitude compared to even the 76's et al crossing the pond.
One of the presentations depicted the high density cabin (atmosphere, funnily enough!) Denver to Rome... that lady has got legs...

I fail to see the synergy of two soon-to-be broke companies like Spirit and JetBlue trying to make two entirely different business structures and two entirely differently outfitted fleets of 320s working together in a penny pinched market. Cant imagine the ULCC model losing in the long run, and I can't imagine a typical JetBlue customer squeezing into a Spirit aircraft. Frontier and Spirit on the other hand is already largely set up. I have no idea how Frontier's books are looking.