I litigated the JetBlue-Spirit merger. A few thoughts on the future of antitrust in the airline industry

Spirit Airlines’ collapse, like its launch more than three decades ago, will impact consumers and the airline industry—and the Antitrust Division’s airline-enforcement program—for years to come.

Spirit’s limited leg space and ancillary fees sparked endless complaints and memes. But each time Spirit marketed a low fare, it changed the competitive dynamics on the routes it served. Sometimes, consumers—like the student traveling to her friend’s bachelorette party, or spring breakers heading to Vegas—chose Spirit.