United Airlines says it will not pursue any big mergers in the near future and has dismissed speculation that it might buy JetBlue.
CEO Scott Kirby told investors at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that he does not expect United to take part in industry consolidation “for any time I can see in the foreseeable future.” His comments came after American Airlines publicly rejected a merger approach from United, a move that ended any immediate possibility of a tie-up between the two largest U.S. carriers.
That outreach to American had prompted wider conjecture that United might be positioning itself to acquire another carrier, with some observers suggesting the approach could have been a prelude to a potential move on JetBlue. Kirby was blunt in dismissing that idea, calling it “just idiotic.” He added, “I wish them luck,” but made clear United will not buy what he characterized as a money-losing route network: “The last thing I’m going to do is buy a route network that loses money.”
JetBlue has struggled financially in recent years, recording losses each year since 2019 and reporting a loss of more than $300 million in the first quarter of this year. Those results help explain United’s reluctance to consider an acquisition.
Despite ruling out a purchase, Kirby reiterated support for United’s Blue Sky commercial partnership with JetBlue, launched last fall. The arrangement includes reciprocal loyalty benefits for MileagePlus and TrueBlue members and will bring United back to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) next year. For now, United appears content to limit the relationship to that partnership rather than pursuing deeper consolidation.
Kirby also reflected on the aborted talks with American, saying he had “approached American” about exploring a merger because he believed the combined company could offer significant customer benefits. American publicly shot down the idea before discussions advanced. Experts had warned such a merger would raise major antitrust concerns.
Industry observers continue to debate whether more airline consolidation lies ahead as carriers face pressures like high fuel costs. There has already been at least one deal this year: Allegiant Air closed its acquisition of Sun Country Airlines.
Bottom line: even if merger chatter persists across the airline sector, United’s leadership says the carrier is unlikely to pursue additional deals. Kirby noted that only a very large transaction would make economic sense for United—and that any such deal would require a willing partner, which he acknowledged the company does not have right now.