Spirit and JetBlue on March 4 ended their merger plans, saying that regulatory obstacles won’t permit the airlines to close the deal in a timely fashion. But before the news broke, we’d recorded an episode with aviation editor Robert Silk and antitrust lawyer Scott Wagner to talk about antitrust law and the past, present and -- what we thought -- might be the future of the deal. We talk about why the approach of the judge who struck down the merger deal may have some additional ramifications for the industry. Do presidential administrations impact antitrust decisions? And is the era of major airline mergers at an end? 

Take a listen, and then check our links below for the latest coverage of the merger, including the official breakup.

This episode was recorded March 1 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured https://www.travelinsured.com

Related reports: 

JetBlue and Spirit end their merger plans https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger

Future airline mergers face turbulence https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger

Spirit and JetBlue face a cloudy future after blocked merger https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-and-JetBlue-cloudy-future-after-blocked-merger

Judge rules that benefits of JetBlue-Spirit merger don't measure up https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-and-Spirit-appealing-merger-rejection

Spirit and JetBlue on March 4 ended their merger plans, saying that regulatory obstacles won’t permit the airlines to close the deal in a timely fashion. But before the news broke, we’d recorded an episode with aviation editor Robert Silk and antitrust lawyer Scott Wagner to talk about antitrust law and the past, present and -- what we thought -- might be the future of the deal. We talk about why the approach of the judge who struck down the merger deal may have some additional ramifications for the industry. Do presidential administrations impact antitrust decisions? And is the era of major airline mergers at an end? 
Take a listen, and then check our links below for the latest coverage of the merger, including the official breakup.
This episode was recorded March 1 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com">https://www.travelinsured.com</a>
Related reports: 
JetBlue and Spirit end their merger plans <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger</a>
Future airline mergers face turbulence <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-spirit-end-merger</a>
Spirit and JetBlue face a cloudy future after blocked merger <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-and-JetBlue-cloudy-future-after-blocked-merger">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-and-JetBlue-cloudy-future-after-blocked-merger</a>
Judge rules that benefits of JetBlue-Spirit merger don't measure up <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-and-Spirit-appealing-merger-rejection">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-and-Spirit-appealing-merger-rejection</a>

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.