Of course that counts EWR.

EWR serves the NYC market, but it is a different airport than LGA or JFK, obviously.

I don’t think it’s as simple as just looking at the debt. You have to include the assets as well. JBLU still has more assets than liabilities on the balance sheet.

You’re trying to convince a pilot group (UAL) that respects the pilots at JetBlue, but wants nothing to do with JetBlue that merging is a good idea.
JetBlue has gates at JFK that UAL wants to use for SFO and LAX premium passengers. That’s it.

Now if Wallstreet wants a merger between the two of us then it’ll be nice flying with you guys.

Sorry for being cranky, but I’ve had multiple JetBlue pilots at ALPA events ask me how long I’ve been at UAL after discussing how we’re merging.

So how long have you been there? :)

I’m not trying to convince United pilots that it’s a good idea. I’m just saying that it is probably not as simple as some make it out to be. There are many factors besides “JB has too much debt” or integration costs. It will be nice flying with you too, I’m looking forward to it ;)

Yes, EWR counts as NYC MSA and CSA. And if it doesn't count then you can bet your bottom dollar that Kirby will be buying JB any moment now. And beyond that, if you look at just JFK/LGA market share then a combined AA/JB is the same % as DL, so no forced divestitures for UA there either...

https://www.panynj.gov/airports/en/s...eral-info.html

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...unties.svg.png

Again why is JetBlue so valuable? BILLIONS for gates at JFK so we can compete with our selves in EWR?

UA wants about 25 slot pairs to do what it wants at JFK. It’s got 7 so far starting next year. They don’t need to buy JB to get the other 18.

So while EWR and JFK are both in the same NYC catchment area the argument can be made that they serve largely different areas without a lot of overlap. You can draw a line north-south down the middle of Manhattan and there isn't a ton of crossover for JFK/EWR airports. If you live in Suffolk County then you're most likely using JFK/LGA and not EWR, same with Essex county. The NYC catchment area is the most lucrative premium market in the country and UA as a premium carrier likely wants to have a presence east of Central Park. If not? That's fine and maybe AA or some other carrier will see value in a JFK presence, just don't be surprised if UA's future JFK gate plans get rugged from underneath them.