Blog de Dunlap: The JetBlue CEO went on TV and promised the moon

Danielle,

If you've had to book air travel recently, I don't have to tell you this: consumers are up against outrageous fares and limited options.

And it might get worse.

One big airline, JetBlue, has proposed a deal to buy another, Spirit. From industry to industry, that type of corporate consolidation has jacked up prices and cut down on quality, with worse deals and worse service for consumers.

I'm fighting to break up big corporate monopolies and prevent mergers that hurt working people. But I can't do it alone. Danielle, will you add your name if you're in this fight by my side?

ADD YOUR NAME

Back to JetBlue for a moment. Last year, their CEO went on TV and promised the moon. He said that the deal would "absolutely" mean lower fares.

That was the public story in March. But according to some internal company documents that were reportedly revealed in August, JetBlue estimates the merger could increase prices by up to 40%. Surprise, surprise: one story in front of the cameras, another behind the scenes.

No matter how some CEOs try to spin it, consolidation in the airline industry — and across our economy — leads to higher prices, fewer options, and worse service for consumers.

I wrote a letter to the CEO of JetBlue calling for answers. If the reports we've heard are correct, then they misled the public, and the Department of Transportation and antitrust regulators must oppose the deal to protect consumers.

And I'll keep fighting back against the corporate consolidation that's putting Americans under the thumb of a few giants. I've been calling on the administration to use all of its tools to fight back against monopolies. And I've got a bill — the Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act — to ban the most damaging mergers, restore competition, and bring down prices for consumers.

I'll stay in the fight — but it's only possible because people like you are fighting alongside me, Danielle.

Add your name if you agree: It's time to take on big corporate monopolies and level the playing field.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth