American Airlines is still looking to fight.
The carrier will appeal the court ruling that dissolved the Northeast Alliance with JetBlue several months ago.
American made the announcement at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters on Tuesday. JetBlue had previously said it would not fight the decision as it has a bigger partnership to deal with – the potential merger and acquisition of Spirit Airlines.
A judge ruled in May that the Northeast Alliance, which was to combine forces and revenue in the valuable northeast corridor, was illegal. The judge ruled that there would be a lack of competition, which would ultimately drive up fares.
Although the airlines billed the Alliance as pro-consumer, The Department of Justice said the agreement violated antitrust laws, and a judge agreed. He ordered the Alliance to be disbanded. JetBlue did not fight the ruling.
The DOJ also sued JetBlue over its possible merger with Spirit Airlines, and that trial is supposed to begin in October. But a potential government shutdown later this week might play havoc with the start of the trial.
JetBlue finalized a deal to pay $3.8 billion to acquire Spirit Airlines last year.
It is not known when the district judge will render a decision on American’s appeal of the Northeast Alliance ruling.
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