Spirit Airlines confirmed that talks would continue with rival suitors Frontier and JetBlue as it postponed a key shareholder vote.
Shareholders of the Florida-based ultra budget carrier had been due to consider a $2.4 billion sale to Frontier today (Friday).
The special meeting is now due to be reconvened on July 15 to allow Spirit to continue discussions with both Frontier and JetBlue.
A merger with Frontier had been the preferred option until New York-based JetBlue intervened with an alternative offer.
JetBlue chief executive Robin Hayes said: “We are encouraged by our discussions with Spirit and are hopeful they now recognise that Spirit shareholders have indicated their clear, overwhelming preference for an agreement with JetBlue.
“We strongly recommend that Spirit shareholders continue to let the Spirit board know they want to receive the superior value JetBlue has proposed, by voting against the Frontier transaction.”
A combination of Spirit with either Frontier or JetBlue would create the fifth largest US carrier.