On Monday, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced in a joint press release that they plan to merge later this year. Both of the companies’ boards of directors had unanimously approved the billions of dollars that would pass hands, wherein Frontier would buy Spirit. If approved, the yet-to-be-named airline would turn into the 5th largest airline in the country.
It wasn’t lost on some that Allegiant, the other budget airline in the country, had its own press release that day. Its timing couldn’t have been worse:
Allegiant Air’s Longtime CEO Stepping Aside
Oooooh….
Obviously, that had nothing to do with the merger, but I still couldn’t help but think, “Whomp whomp.” 😉
Here at YMMV, we’ve made fun of Spirit for years, mainly because of how they nickel and dime you for everything. And although we’ve flown Frontier a time or two, it’s almost always only been done in a pinch.
Don’t get me wrong – both Spirit and Frontier have their fans and their foes. For some, the cheaper the better. I get that. In fact, the first time I took Frontier, when I surprised Joe on his business trip (I got him GOOD!), my goal was to see how cheaply I could make the trip from Orlando to Charlotte, and Frontier worked very well into that plan (less than $75 round trip!). But for other people, the likes of Spirit and Frontier are the same level of Motel 6 and Dollar General; they have their place, but they’re not to everyone’s taste.
So what happens when the two largest ultra low cost carriers in the country have announced a plan to merge into one huge, mega cheap airline? Well, I guess we’ll find out as plans emerge. But for right now, a lot of people on Twitter are having their fun with it:
Frontier and Spirit Airlines merging pic.twitter.com/fTZU1PHjoB
— Wob (@WobBurner) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit are merging, giving fans twice the options to be stranded in an airport.
— Steve Hofstetter (@SteveHofstetter) February 7, 2022
Let me brand the spirit frontier merger pic.twitter.com/XlE8WFGnAq
— Jess Siswick (@tinymallet) February 7, 2022
BREAKING: FRONTIER AND SPIRIT TO MERGE. PASSENGERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXECUTING THE MERGER
— FSD Master Beta (@PeterPanhehimh1) February 7, 2022
Live look at Frontier and Spirit Airlines, joining forces.😭 pic.twitter.com/4rGXfsM0Pq
— JerriLynn (@Jerri_Lynn25) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit airlines merging like??? Just one mega bad airline and get ready to get charged for breathing!😬 pic.twitter.com/rVwpGgruVh
— Samantha (@Dancing_Cookie) February 7, 2022
BREAKING NEWS: Spirit and Frontier airlines to merge, rebrand as Peasant Air
— Simple Jack Capital👨🦯📉 (@SimpleJackCap) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit Airlines merging pic.twitter.com/k0MLtwjlPD
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) February 7, 2022
Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced plans to merge. Seems like a perfect time to sell legroom by the dollar.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 7, 2022
We’re about to have America’s first airline with no seats. https://t.co/KIyGZIGNwT
— Chris Allen (@_PeppaJack) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit merging? Two wrongs don’t make a right…
— Jonathan Earnest (@earnestjon) February 7, 2022
A preview of the new airlines after the #Frontier and #Spirit merger takes effect. pic.twitter.com/9ufJbeablc
— Jeffs Comics (@jeffs_comics) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit airlines are merging. I vote for Fearit as the new name.
— The InTIMiraider (@InTIMiraider) February 7, 2022
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked image of new Frontier + Spirit livery pic.twitter.com/LKegbr3t6J
— Bogan Painter (@red318is) February 7, 2022
The Frontier and Spirit proposed merger is like a wedding between two messy families where you know there will be a brawl on the dance floor (and, of course, a cash bar).
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) February 7, 2022
everyone who has ever ridden with Spirit or Frontier is also not so sure pic.twitter.com/s8MvsvrS50
— Five Macanudo Cigars Enjoyer (@a_o_rdj) February 8, 2022
Frontier and Spirit Airlines are merging. pic.twitter.com/S6VupwmHTS
— Daniel Hennessy (@DK_Hennessy) February 7, 2022
Is this going to make Spirit better or Frontier worse? pic.twitter.com/r81Z1wixvL
— Wynter Spears (@WynterSpears) February 7, 2022
Frontier and Spirit merge to regain their rightful crown. pic.twitter.com/1A8dohlKNp
— Steve Holt (@SteveHolt3) February 7, 2022
Feature Photo: James / Wikimedia
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.