Spirit Airlines tried to be the Dollar General of the skies. Then the big airlines beat it at its own game
Spirit Airlines tried to be the Dollar General of the skies. Then the big airlines beat it at its own game
- April 29, 2026
- Jan Brueckner, economics, explains in NPR – Planet Money
-----
A few years ago, … the Department of Justice, under President Biden, fought to block Spirit from merging with JetBlue and won in federal court. Jan Brueckner, an emeritus professor of economics at University of California Irvine, says, "Spirit was just entering a period of financial difficulties. And it would've benefited by teaming up with a stronger and bigger carrier like JetBlue." … What's pretty clear though is that losing Spirit Airlines would be bad news for consumers. "On the routes where you have low cost or ultra low cost competition, the fares are lower," Brueckner says.
For the full story, please visit NPR - Planet Money.
-----
Would you like to get more involved with the social sciences? Email us at communications@socsci.uci.edu to connect.
Related News Items
- Careet RightWho killed Spirit Airlines?
- Careet RightIf Spirit Airlines is liquidated, here's what might happen to the industry
- Careet RightTrump seeks suitors for Spirit Airlines while dismissing another merger
- Careet RightDemolition of abandoned Westminster Mall begins as new development breaks ground
- Careet RightFlying in America is about to get more expensive and less fun