Well, F9 didn't keep ATL-IAD or ATL-MCO.

I was looking at ATL-MCO on NK next week. NK flies the route 2x daily and the fares were $34.10 for both flights on Tuesday. One can save $17.99 buying at a Spirit counter also, so that fare can even be cheaper.

In general, NK on the route is s a good cheap option, especially for those going for day trips or one night trips and not needing to pay for bags or seat selection. Southwest's fares were $164 ,but Southwest has a high frequency service targeting business passengers possibly. So, it's one route that WN is not fare matching NK. F9 served the route but chose to not keep it.

Personally, I chose to rent a one-way car and a SUV from Alamo will be under $60. The early AM flight on Spirit is too early. I would need to stay at an airport hotel and use a shuttle that would drop me in ATL by 5am or so. Since I need to carry a suitcase, it would be cost on NK, I figured the drive might be more relaxing. I need to stay in a hotel anyways, so I'll stay half way in Valdosta. Plus, I didn't want to deal with the security and airport process, having gone through a huge one last time in ATL. NK and F9 still lack TSA PreCheck which would be really useful at airports like ATL.

Anyways, with the drive being somewhat ok and Spirit already covering the route and maybe just marginally turning a profit, I see why F9 forgo the route.

However, it's a missing network link that F9 won't have an ATL-DC flight, atleast for it's ATL pax. I'd think F9 could challenge WN on ATL-IAD but maybe it feels differently. IAD isn't all that of a preferred airport for in perimeter flights which is another challenge.