Does a Frontier-Spirit Merger Still Makes Sense?

It's never really too late, is it?

More than a year after trying, does a Frontier-Spirit merger still makes sense? Yes, it does.

From a perception standpoint, it’s hard to be the jilted lover. A secondhand rose, if you will. Remember that Frontier came calling last year, but was spurned in favor of a better offer from JetBlue. We all remember how that turned out when it reached the federal courts. This was more than about JetBlue just wanting to become a larger airline.

And it appears that monopolies do not apply here with Frontier and Spirit.

Both airlines can survive and thrive here without creating a competition imbalance.

Frontier is primarily a west coast carrier that probably won’t siphon off too many of Spirit’s customers. And Spirit is like a first-time Oscar nominee–just happy to be here. Plagued with financial problems to the point where it is selling off some of its equipment, Spirit should be grateful that somebody is still interested.

This is a deal that seems to make sense for both airlines.

At least, it does at this moment. And you know what they say about timing. It’s everything. There might not be a better time for such a deal to take place. It could strengthen one airline and save another.

Sure, Spirit as a brand name might go away but it will keep its mantra of low-cost airline. Spirit doesn’t have many frills. And those that it does have can be costly. But it does the job of getting you from one place to the next. Do you want a soda? Buy one at the airport. Need a pillow? Pack one from home.

Airlines like Frontier and Spirit were never intended to be mainstream carriers.

In one sense, that’s what makes this an attractive merger.