Last month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed that he approached fellow “big three” competitor American Airlines about a potential merger after several outlets broke the story on the back-room discussions.
While the Dallas-based airline has faced more financial strain than its two main competitors since the start of 2026, American Airlines immediately shot down the proposal by saying it had “no interest” in such a megamerger.
American CEO Robert Isom classified his airline’s relationship with United as one of “roommates” who have no interest in “getting married.”
The rumors around such a massive shake-up of the current U.S. commercial aviation market led some industry insiders to speculate that United approached American as part of a wider merger mission or used the shock effect of United-American discussion to cover for plans to merge with another smaller airline.
“Just idiotic”: Scott Kirby comments on persistent merger rumors
The shadow of suspicion then fell on New York-based low-cost airline JetBlue Airways, a proposal that Kirby classified as “just idiotic” and “definitely not the plan” at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York on May 28.
“I don’t think that United, at least, is going to participate in any consolidation, for any time I can see in the foreseeable future,” Kirby said during his speech on the business of airlines.
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Kirby added that such a deal would only have interest for United if JetBlue increased its current profitability margin by approximately 25% points. At the current numbers, a United-JetBlue merger would be “mathematically close to impossible.” JetBlue last reported earnings showing $9 billion in debt.
The recent spike in jet fuel crises is also putting further strain on the airline; in March 2026, JetBlue became the first major American carrier to raise the price of checked baggage by up to $10 in what the airline justified as a move necessary to avoid fare increases.
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What is happening with United, American and other airlines right now
JetBlue has also been subject to much speculation about eventually getting acquired by a larger airline. Prior to the low-cost competitor’s collapse at the start of May, a $3.6 billion merger proposal with Spirit Airlines was rejected by a federal judge in January 2024 over antitrust concerns.
“I already talked about discipline, I’ve been disciplined enough to close three hubs,” Kirby said in response to audience pushing questions about a merger. “The last thing I’m going to do is buy a route network that loses money. […] I never said it, never hinted at it. I never understood why everyone thought we were going to do it. It just seems mathematically not doable and I’m pretty good at math. I never understood it.”
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Despite his comments of never understanding this speculation, Kirby has previously called JetBlue the “obvious candidate” for an expansion to reporter questions in March 2025.
Kirby further said that he has “immense respect for Joanna [Geraghty, the airline’s CEO] and her team and what they’re trying to do, and I wish them luck.”
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