JetBlue and American Airlines must end partnership, judge rules

American Airlines and JetBlue must end their alliance, a federal judge said on Friday, ruling that the partnership weakens competition and hurts consumers in the Northeast by reducing their flight options.

The decision is a blow for the airlines, which have said their codeshare agreement helps consumers by creating a stronger competitor in the region for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

American and JetBlue announced in 2020 that they would cooperate on some routes in the Northeast in a deal they called the Northeast Alliance. They argued it was a pro-consumer arrangement that allowed them to start 58 new routes from four airports in New York and Boston, add flights on other routes and plan new international destinations.