Supreme Court Blocks American Airlines’ JetBlue Alliance Appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear American Airlines’ appeal to reinstate its Northeast Alliance (NEA) with JetBlue Airways, effectively ending the carrier’s legal effort to revive the controversial partnership. The high court’s rejection leaves intact a lower court ruling that deemed the NEA anti-competitive under federal antitrust law.

American Airlines expressed disappointment, stating the NEA had expanded flight options and enhanced competition in the Northeast during its operational period. The airline argued that the ruling could prevent it from forming similar partnerships in the future, not only with JetBlue but potentially with other U.S. carriers.

The NEA, launched in July 2020 and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation in January 2021, allowed American and JetBlue to coordinate schedules and share revenue on routes in the Northeast U.S., particularly in New York and Boston. However, the alliance faced increasing scrutiny under the Biden administration and was ultimately dissolved in 2023 after a federal judge ruled it violated antitrust laws.

Following the alliance’s termination, American Airlines filed a separate lawsuit against JetBlue in April 2025, seeking damages related to the NEA’s collapse. JetBlue, for its part, has moved on by forming a new partnership with United Airlines, drawing criticism from Spirit Airlines, which filed a complaint labeling the new deal as anti-competitive and reminiscent of the NEA.

The Supreme Court’s decision marks the final chapter in the NEA dispute, reinforcing regulators’ tougher stance on airline partnerships deemed to reduce market competition.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com