Report
EUR 186.60 For Business Accounts Only

JetBlue Airways Corp. / Spirit Airlines, Inc.: Blocked merger is credit positive for JetBlue, credit negative for Spirit Airlines; appeal outcome is uncertain

The ruling blocking the acquisition is both a gift and a curse for JetBlue. Its capital structure will remain tenable, its strategy will need updating. Spirit's credit becomes more tenuous.
Underlyings
JetBlue Airways Corporation

JetBlue Airways provides air transportation services. The company also provides Fare Options pricing model, at one of three branded fares: Blue, Blue Plus, and Blue Flex. Each fare includes different offerings such as checked bags, reduced change fees, and additional TrueBlue? points, with all fares including the company's primary offering of in-flight entertainment, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. TrueBlue? is the company's customer loyalty program designed to reward and recognize loyal customers. The company operates Airbus A321, Airbus A320 and Embraer E190 aircraft types. The company also sells vacation packages through JetBlue Vacations?, a vacation service for self-directed packaged travel planning.

Spirit Airlines Inc.

Spirit Airlines is an airline that provides travel opportunities principally throughout the domestic United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. The company's ultra low-cost carrier business model provides customers low, unbundled base fares with a range of optional services, allowing customers to choose their options. The majority of the company's tickets are sold through direct channels including online via www.spirit.com, its call center and its airport ticket counters, with www.spirit.com being the primary channel. The company also partners with a number of third parties to distribute its tickets, including online and travel agents and electronic global distribution systems.

Provider
Moody's Investors Service
Moody's Investors Service

Moody's Investors Service is a leading provider of credit ratings, research, and risk analysis. Moody's commitment and expertise contributes to transparent and integrated financial markets, protecting the integrity of credit. Our ratings and analysis track debt covering more than:

  • 130 countries
    11,000 corporate issuers
    21,000 public finance issuers
    76,000 structured finance obligations



Credit ratings and research help investors analyze the credit risks associated with fixed-income securities. Such independent credit ratings and research also contribute to efficiencies in fixed-income markets and other obligations, such as insurance policies and derivative transactions, by providing credible and independent assessments of credit risk.



Moody’s default studies validate our predictive ratings. Our published research and investor briefings draw thousands of attendees each year and keep investors current with the rationale underlying our credit opinions. 

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