News•Mar 28, 2026
Alaska Buying JetBlue? Not So Fast
Alaska Air is eyeing JetBlue as a potential acquisition, attracted by the combined route map and East Coast foothold. The deal would give Alaska access to Boston, JFK slots, the Mint premium brand, and a fleet of A321LRs suited for thin transatlantic routes. However, JetBlue carries a massive debt load, with a $602 M loss in 2025 and $580 M in annual interest expense, plus a complex TrueBlue financing structure. Regulatory obstacles and fleet integration costs further dampen the attractiveness, leading analysts to recommend waiting for a Chapter 11 restructuring before any purchase.
