\n
<\/p>\n
The Northeast Alliance has been thrown into question once more.<\/p>\n
JetBlue said<\/a> Wednesday that it would not appeal a recent antitrust ruling by the federal District Court in Massachusetts<\/a> against its partnership with American Airlines and begin the process of unwinding a complex integration that has been in place for more than two years.<\/p>\n Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG\u2019s free biweekly Aviation newsletter<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n The airline said it would instead focus on an upcoming antitrust suit over its planned merger with low-cost Spirit Airlines.<\/p>\n American Airlines, on the other hand, said<\/a> that it would plan to file an appeal separately. It was not immediately clear if JetBlue intended to stick with the alliance if American’s appeal is successful.<\/p>\n Nor was it clear what such a split legal strategy would mean for passengers in the interim as JetBlue and American continue to sell and operate flights under the alliance, pending a final injunction which is yet to be issued by the court. The airlines are still honoring benefits, including earning and using miles, across their two frequent flyer programs.<\/p>\n The specifics of the injunction are expected to be determined following a hearing on July 26, which would impact the nature of American’s appeal. Unless a stay of the initial ruling is issued by the Circuit Court hearing the appeal, the two airlines would have to begin unwinding the alliance beginning 21 days<\/a> following the final injunction being issued.<\/p>\n In a statement to TPG, an American Airlines spokesperson said that the airline would not seek a stay, but would instead seek to have its appeal fast-tracked.<\/p>\n “In light of JetBlue’s decision, American will not seek a stay of the District Court’s injunction, but we will seek an expedited appeal,” the airline said. “The importance of the legal issues presented and the burdens of the restrictions on our business should easily justify an accelerated appeal.”<\/p>\n