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United Airlines CEO Rules Out Buying Spirit Airlines Assets

By  |  September 16, 2025

United Airlines will not pursue any of Spirit Airlines’ assets as the struggling carrier undergoes another restructuring process, according to Reuters. Chief Executive Scott Kirby said on Tuesday that the discount airline’s planes, slots, and routes are not a fit for United’s operations, making a purchase unattractive.

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    Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection last month, its second attempt in a year to stabilize its finances. The new restructuring plan will involve scaling back its operations and fleet, potentially putting aircraft and other assets on the market. However, Kirby told Reuters that acquiring Spirit’s planes would be costly and time-consuming, requiring $15 million per aircraft and two to three years to reconfigure them for United’s needs. He also noted that Spirit’s strongholds, such as Fort Lauderdale, lack the necessary gates for United to expand.

    “It’s not in our wheelhouse,” Kirby said in the interview. “And so we’re not going to try to do that.”

    Despite ruling out a bid, United has been moving to capture some of Spirit’s customer base. Earlier this month, the airline began selling tickets to 15 destinations currently served by Spirit, offering alternatives for travelers in the event Spirit ceases operations. Kirby, who has often criticized the business model of ultra-low-cost carriers, recently questioned whether Spirit could survive much longer, per Reuters.

    Read more: Boeing Seeks EU Approval to Reacquire Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7 Billion Deal

    The discount carrier’s financial struggles come at a time when major U.S. airlines are focusing on premium travelers, raising concerns that cheap flight options could diminish. Kirby downplayed those fears, insisting that low-cost travel remains widely available. “Some of the models aren’t going to work and some will, but there’s always been and always will be lots of low-cost competition in the United States,” he said.

    United is also expanding its partnerships and future growth plans. The company has teamed up with JetBlue, allowing passengers to use frequent-flier miles across both airlines and giving United access to slots at New York’s JFK Airport, which it exited in 2022. While the arrangement has sparked speculation about a merger, Kirby said the partnership is already delivering customer benefits without the complications of a merger.

    Looking ahead, United plans to hire 2,500 pilots by the end of next year, supported by new aircraft deliveries from Boeing. Kirby also indicated the company will decide later this year whether to move forward with its long-standing order for 45 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline has repeatedly deferred the order, leading to speculation about whether it might be converted or canceled. “We have not decided,” Kirby said. “We’re actively working on it.”

    Source: Reuters