JetBlue cuts ties with American Airlines to save Spirit acquisition

JetBlue has decided not to appeal a judge's ruling against its partnership with American Airlines, opting to drop the deal in order to salvage its proposed $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit Airlines. The U.S. Justice Department had sued to block the Spirit sale, arguing that it would harm competition. JetBlue hopes that ending the partnership with American might persuade the government to allow the Spirit purchase to proceed. The judge's ruling also means that code-sharing and reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits between JetBlue and American will be discontinued.