There is no way in he11 that SW could buy Lan Chile... They can barely afford to keep on flying (or at least this is what they have been telling to the employees during their short existence
)
Lan Chile is owned by one of the richest families in Chile, they have gone through a major corporate image change a few years ago, it part of one of the major alliances, and it could be said, that it is one of the few airlines that is prepared for the changes in the industry during the 21st century...
As far as SW is concerned, it is a quite young company, with no corporate identity, with debilitated pilot corps, and mistreated employees. I mean to say, there are other issues apart from money...
Southern Winds constantly lie to its pilots, asking credit on their expectations, to avoid them leaving. Very poor strategy...
You do the math... We are not even talking the same league.