Don't Buy Those JetBlue Merger Rumors

The industry's other merger advocate is Glenn Tilton, CEO of United(UAUA Quote). Tilton approached Delta about a merger and talked with Continental(CAL Quote), and it's likely he put out other feelers, as well. Nothing happened.

Aviation consultant Mike Boyd says that much of the industry's merger talk originates with "cyberbloggers without a life, starting rumors, [or] with analysts who, without a thread of evidence, say 'Wouldn't it be neat if...'"

What if we just concede that mergers don't work and instead talk about a JetBlue codeshare at Kennedy, which would allow an international airline to utilize the carrier's domestic network?

Unfortunately, consultant Robert Mann says that wouldn't work, either, because JetBlue doesn't have first class. While American is part of the Oneworld alliance and Delta is part of SkyTeam, "Star Alliance doesn't have a strong proxy at Kennedy," Mann says. "So if there was any call for this, it would be a Star Alliance call. The problem is that JetBlue doesn't have the assets an alliance is looking for."

When you're talking airline deals, however, the problem is a minor one.