Southwest Airlines Merger Speculation Grows, and More
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Southwest Airlines Merger Buzz Ignited by Union Poll Favoring JetBlue, Spirit and Breeze Airways
Speculation about Southwest Airlines potentially acquiring another carrier has intensified following a social media poll by flight attendants' union board member Chris Click on February 13, 2025.
The poll, conducted after an executive board meeting, showed JetBlue leading as the favored acquisition target, with Spirit and Breeze Airways also emerging as a strong contender.
This development follows months of merger discussion speculations and the airline's pilot union seeking legal counsel last year in preparation for a possible deal.
However, Southwest has made no official confirmation of any merger plans as of now.
Read the latest update related to this news: Southwest Airlines Cuts 15% of Corporate Staff, Affecting 1,750 Jobs
Key Points
- Southwest board member Chris Click plans to share details about "important initiatives" during a fireside chat on February 18, further fueling acquisition speculation
- 46% of respondents picked JetBlue, while Click advocated for Breeze Airways
- Southwest has a history of absorbing smaller rivals like Morris Air (1990s) and AirTran (2011)
- Historical ties exist between Southwest and potential target Breeze Airways, as Breeze's founder David Neeleman previously sold Morris Air to Southwest
- The airline's pilot union proactively sought legal advice in 2024 regarding potential merger implications
- JetBlue’s consistent Spirit bid and Alaska’s Hawaiian Airlines acquisition highlight that there's an appetite for sector consolidation.
What It Means
As of now, there's no official confirmation from Southwest. Also, Southwest’s focus on modernizing operations and appeasing Elliott Capital might clash with the complexity of integrating JetBlue, Spirit, or Breeze.
But never say never. Southwest is under a lot of pressure to evolve beyond its traditional model. And it could make some unexpected move.
And there are some strategic angles. For example, Breeze’s Airbus A220s could address Southwest’s fleet shortages (but complicate Southwest's all-Boeing fleet strategy).
We might know more tomorrow.
