WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court won’t decide whether American Airlines should have been allowed to partner with JetBlue Airways, a venture the airline said benefited travelers in the congested Northeast.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states challenged the American-JetBlue agreement in 2021, saying it hurt consumers by reducing competition in key air-travel markets.
Lower courts sided against the airlines.
The court on June 30 declined American Airlines’ appeal.
Lawyers for the airline said there is no evidence that letting them work together led to higher fares or reduced service.
Lawyers for the states that sued said the alliance ended competition between rival airlines in highly concentrated markets where each had a substantial presence.
The Justice Department said the case isn’t worth the Supreme Court’s time because JetBlue terminated the partnership about two years ago.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court rejects American Airlines’ appeal over JetBlue partnership
