JetBlue CEO Targets Big Airlines Over Low-Fare Spirit Travelers

JetBlue Airways Corp. wants to use its acquisition of deep-discount carrier Spirit Airlines Inc. to compete with the four major airlines, with plans to rebrand Spirit jets and reduce their seats per plane by 10% to 15%, Chief Executive Officer Robin Hayes testified at an antitrust trial.

JetBlue’s primary goal in spending $3.8 billion to buy Spirit was to go up against the likes of American Airlines Group Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co., Hayes told a judge in Boston during a trial over the federal government’s bid to block ...