JetBlue, Spirit Fail to Halt Consumer Suit Over $3.8 Billion Deal

JetBlue Airways Corp. and Spirit Airlines failed to block a consumer lawsuit challenging their $3.8 billion merger, which plaintiffs say would reduce capacity and raise prices.

The Wednesday ruling allows two consumer plaintiffs to pursue their claim and sets the stage for a trial in the case.

The consumers have standing to bring an antitrust claim because they are “the type of person[s] the law intends to protect against the harm of which [they] complain,” Judge William Young of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts said in his ruling.

The consumers sued in November 2022 to block ...