The airline world is messy. If you've spent any time looking at flight deals lately, you've probably noticed that the budget landscape feels a bit like a game of musical chairs where the music never actually stops, but everyone is shouting anyway. One of the biggest questions that keeps popping up in travel forums and investor chats is a simple one: did Frontier buy Spirit?
No. They didn't.
Actually, it's a lot more complicated than a simple "no," because for a while, it looked like a done deal. It was the engagement that never made it to the altar. Instead of a happy marriage between the two biggest ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) in the United States, we got a corporate soap opera involving hostile takeovers, Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuits, and a complete shift in how we think about cheap flights.
The Short Answer to Did Frontier Buy Spirit
Frontier Airlines did not buy Spirit Airlines. While they announced a merger agreement back in February 2022, the deal eventually collapsed under the weight of a much larger, more aggressive bid from JetBlue Airways. But even that didn't work out. By the time 2024 rolled around, Spirit was left standing alone, facing a mountain of debt and a failed merger with JetBlue that the federal government blocked.
It’s a wild story. You have two companies that basically invented the "pay for your own water" business model in the U.S., trying to join forces to fight the "Big Four" airlines—American, Delta, United, and Southwest.
Why the Frontier-Spirit Deal Initially Made Sense
Frontier CEO Barry Biffle and the team at Indigo Partners (the private equity firm behind Frontier) saw a golden opportunity. By merging with Spirit, they would have created the fifth-largest airline in the country.
The logic was simple.
- Scale: More planes mean more routes.
- Cost Savings: They could share maintenance, staff, and tech.
- Dominance: They would own the budget market.
Honestly, at the time, it felt inevitable. Frontier offered roughly $2.9 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. They promised it would save consumers $1 billion annually. But then JetBlue crashed the party with a suitcase full of cash—$3.6 billion, to be exact—and Spirit’s shareholders started looking at the shiny new offer instead of the one they already had.
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The JetBlue Intervention That Changed Everything
When we talk about whether did Frontier buy Spirit, we have to talk about JetBlue’s role as the "spoiler." JetBlue didn't want Frontier to get bigger. They also desperately needed more pilots and planes to compete with the giants.
JetBlue went hostile. They bypassed Spirit’s board of directors and went straight to the shareholders. They offered way more money. Spirit’s management actually fought against JetBlue for months, arguing that the government would never allow a JetBlue-Spirit merger because it would eliminate a low-cost competitor and raise prices.
They were right.
In July 2022, Spirit officially terminated its merger agreement with Frontier. They took the JetBlue money. But that victory was short-lived. In early 2024, a federal judge blocked the JetBlue-Spirit deal, citing antitrust concerns. The judge basically said that if Spirit disappeared into JetBlue, the "Spirit effect"—where prices drop because a budget airline enters a market—would vanish.
The Current State of Frontier and Spirit in 2026
Fast forward to today. The landscape is even more fractured. Spirit has struggled significantly with engine issues on their Airbus fleet (specifically the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines) and a massive debt load.
Frontier, meanwhile, has been busy pivoting. They've introduced "The New Frontier," which is their attempt to be less... well, frustrating. They brought back customer service phone lines (which they had famously cut) and started bundling bags and seats into their "BizFare" and "Bundle" options.
What This Means for Your Wallet
If the merger had happened, you’d be looking at a much more unified budget flying experience across the U.S. Instead, we have two struggling airlines trying to figure out how to survive in a high-cost environment.
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- Frontier is focusing on "closed loops." This means they are trying to keep planes and crews at the same base every night to save on hotel costs. It makes their schedule a bit more rigid, but it keeps their costs down.
- Spirit is fighting for air. They’ve had to sell off planes and delay deliveries of new ones just to keep cash on hand.
Is there still a chance Frontier could buy Spirit? In the world of business, never say never. There have been fresh rumors about a potential "rescue" merger or Spirit filing for a strategic bankruptcy to reorganize and then merging with Frontier later. But as of right now, they remain fierce, independent competitors.
The "Spirit Effect" and Why the DOJ Cares
The reason the government stepped in to stop the JetBlue deal—and why they were much more "okay" with the Frontier deal—comes down to business models.
Frontier and Spirit are almost identical. They are ULCCs. They charge for everything. They use the same types of planes. Merging them wouldn't really change the type of service available to the public. JetBlue, however, is a "premium" low-cost carrier. They have TVs, free snacks, and more legroom. The DOJ argued that if JetBlue bought Spirit, they would rip out the seats, put in TVs, and raise the prices.
That’s a big "no-no" for regulators who want to keep travel affordable for people who only have $50 to spend on a flight to Vegas.
Real-World Impact: A Tale of Two Hubs
Look at Orlando (MCO) or Las Vegas (LAS). These are the battlegrounds.
At MCO, you’ll see Frontier and Spirit gates right next to each other. If you’re looking for a flight to Philadelphia or Atlanta, these two are constantly undercutting each other. If you've ever scored a $19 fare, you can thank the fact that the merger failed. Competition is the only thing keeping those prices in the basement.
Misconceptions About the Frontier-Spirit Drama
A lot of people think the deal failed because Spirit wasn't "good enough" for Frontier. That’s totally wrong. It failed because JetBlue offered more money, and Spirit’s shareholders were greedy for the immediate payout.
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Another myth: "Frontier is just Spirit with a green plane."
While they look similar on paper, their networks are different. Frontier is very heavy in the West and Rockies (Denver is their fortress). Spirit is the king of the East Coast and Florida. A merger would have been a perfect geographical fit, which is why analysts still think a deal might happen eventually if Spirit's financial situation gets desperate enough.
The Elephant in the Room: Pratt & Whitney
You can't talk about these airlines without mentioning the engine crisis. Hundreds of Airbus A320neo aircraft—the ones both Frontier and Spirit fly—have been grounded because of microscopic contaminants in the metal of the engines.
This hit Spirit much harder than Frontier.
Spirit had to ground dozens of planes at a time. When you don't have planes in the air, you aren't making money. This is the main reason Spirit’s stock price cratered and why people are asking again, "Wait, is Frontier going to buy them now that they're cheap?"
What Travelers Should Do Next
Because the merger didn't happen, you have to be more careful when booking. Here is the reality of flying these two today.
Check the Fees Constantly
Since they are still competing, they are getting creative with fees. Frontier now offers "The Works" which includes a carry-on and a refund option. Spirit has "The Big Front Seat," which is arguably the best deal in the sky—a first-class sized seat for a fraction of the price.
Watch for Schedule Changes
Spirit's financial trouble means they are cutting routes frequently. If you book a flight six months out, check your email every week. There’s a non-zero chance that flight might not exist by the time you're ready to leave.
The Credit Card Game
Frontier’s credit card actually offers some decent perks now, like "GoWild!" pass discounts. Spirit’s "Free Spirit" program is also surprisingly easy to earn status in if you fly them just a few times a year.
Actionable Steps for Navigating the Budget Airline Landscape
Stop waiting for a "mega-budget" airline to simplify your life. It isn't happening yet. Instead, lean into the competition.
- Download both apps. Don't rely on Expedia or Google Flights alone. Both Frontier and Spirit often have "app-only" sales that don't show up on third-party aggregators.
- Compare the "All-In" price. Since Frontier rebranded their bundles, their "initial" price might look higher than Spirit’s, but once you add a bag, Frontier might actually be cheaper.
- Keep an eye on Spirit’s financial filings. If you see news about Spirit restructuring debt, be wary of booking "once-in-a-lifetime" trips with them too far in advance. Stick to short-term hops.
- Leverage the status match. Both airlines frequently offer status matches for travelers who have elite status with Delta or United. This is the fastest way to get those annoying bag fees waived.
The saga of whether Frontier would buy Spirit is a masterclass in corporate "what ifs." For now, they remain two separate entities, fighting for every dollar in a market that is increasingly difficult for small players. Whether they eventually succumb to the pressure and try to merge again is the billion-dollar question that will define the next decade of American travel.