<https://liveandletsfly.com/> Home » <https://liveandletsfly.com/category/jetblue/> JetBlue » JetBlue Founder Says Airline Is In Deep Trouble And Even United Doesn’t Want It
<https://liveandletsfly.com/category/jetblue/> JetBlue JetBlue Founder Says Airline Is In Deep Trouble And Even United Doesn’t Want It <https://liveandletsfly.com/author/matthew-klint/> Matthew Klint Posted on <https://liveandletsfly.com/jetblue-deep-trouble-united-not-interested/> April 15, 2026 <https://liveandletsfly.com/jetblue-deep-trouble-united-not-interested/#comments> 10 Comments <https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DAVID-NEELEMAN-JETBLUE.jpeg> JetBlue’s future just got a very blunt reality check from one of the smartest CEOs in the business…who also happens to be the founder of JetBlue. Even United Does Not Want JetBlue, Per David Neeleman Many have wondered whether the <https://liveandletsfly.com/united-american-airlines-merger/> maneuvering by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby at the White House over a merger with American Arlines was a strategic chess move to smooth the way for United’s acquisition of JetBlue. The theory goes that because a deal with JetBlue is so small in comparison to one with American, which is now being seriously debated by analysts and investors, it would be less likely to face regulatory scrutiny. But JetBlue’s balance sheet is seriously flawed, leading many to question the upside of such a merger for United. In an internal interview with Breeze Airways pilots, David Neeleman, the founder of JetBlue and current CEO of Breeze, offered a remarkably candid assessment of JetBlue’s situation. More importantly, he poured cold water on the idea that United is waiting in the wings to acquire it. “JetBlue’s in a really tough spot. They really are….When Jamie Baker, who’s an analyst for JP Morgan, came out with his estimates for all the airlines based on 450 fuel—two bucks—it showed JetBlue losing $1.3B this year. That would probably put them into bankruptcy, I assume. That would also take them to $9B in debt. Today, they are paying over $600M in interest on that debt and that would take it up closer to $800M in interest. That would be tough. “There was some thought that United was just doing that with American to clear the decks to buy JetBlue but I know it from a pretty good source in United that they are very concerned about JetBlue’s debt and they are not really interesting in taking that on, so I think JetBlue has very few options. I don’t think Southwest is interested in them. I know Alaska is not. United is concerned about the debt so obviously if Spirit went under and fuel went back under 250 you know, they were just with their nose above the water. They’ve doubled down in Ft Lauderdale so they really want to make that work.”
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