JetBlue has said they’re in talks with a number of airlines about potential partnerships. Aviation watchdog JonNYC reported that United has spent time looking at ways they might do a deal with JetBlue – “merger or buying assets or something else.”
In response, United Airlines has filed an SEC 8-K saying that they are not in negotiations or discussions (and have not been recently) regarding a merger or acquisition.
It has come to the Company’s attention that there may be rumors spreading among certain of our investors regarding United’s involvement in a potential strategic transaction with another airline. The Company is not in negotiations or discussions with any other airline regarding a merger, acquisition or similar strategic transaction and has not been in any recent discussions with any airlines regarding the same. As indicated by United’s strong earnings results and outlook provided on January 21, 2025, the Company has great momentum and a bright future ahead.
This denial of course doesn’t say that they aren’t in discussions about acquiring assets like slots – just not a “merger, acquisition or similar strategic transaction.” Note that JonNYC did not say it was necessarily a merger but could have involved buying assets, like a portfolio of slots at New York JFK or “something else” (a partnership along the lines of what American Airlines and JetBlue had broken up by the previous administration would fall into that category).
In that sense, I take this as a non-denial denial of the actual rumor. They are only saying they aren’t in active discussions over acquiring JetBlue. That would have been a tough anti-trust sell even for a Trump administration, which incidentally filed its first antitrust suit to block a merger today.
According to JonNYC, he has sources at other Star Alliance carriers who have been briefed on United’s project. I assume this would imply an antitrust-immunized joint venture partner, such as Lufthansa.
And, at this juncture, I feel there is ample evidence that some of UA's Star Alliance partners have been briefed about UA's interest in Jetblue
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) January 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In covering this, I speculated that it might be something much smaller than an acquisition of JetBlue – “Surely there would be anti-trust concerns still over anything more than a small slot sale or lease package” – and United did not address anything smaller than a merger or acquisition in their filing.
UA buying some JFK slots is far less significant than the acquisition or “deal” rumor that Jonny boy was peddling.
just let it go, Gary
It was a fantasy of JonNYC and UA’s statement makes it clear that any of the possibilities that you or Jon considered are on the table.
And, no, Jon, UA did not discuss anything with its Star partners.
Another bad week for you.
Bad week for me? Only because of the American Airlines tragedy.
bad week for Jon
@Gary @Tim Dunn
Oh, come on fellas, cheer up! Plenty to look forward to still, right? Think of all the future point devaluations for us to bitch about! Endless opportunities!
Companies generally do not file 8Ks commenting on “Internet rumors.” My guess is that the C suite is really pissed off and there will be an internal investigation to see if this rumor was provided by an insider. Internet bloggers that wade in the middle of non public information, or what ends up being information deemed false enough and material enough to force management to stop and file an 8K should watch their step. Getting sued would suck.
I’ll up the ante. If any of you folks are traveling tonight, come by DeltaOne at JFK T4–I’ll save you a seat at the bar. The espresso martinis here are excellent. Or if you’re into mezcal, the ‘Lower East Side’ is even better—it has the freshest basil. They got Woodford Double Oakes, too, for you bourbon aficionados. Cheers!