The judge hearing the US Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines and JetBlue Airways said Monday that the trial in the matter would begin on Sept. 26, 2022. In its lawsuit, the government asked Judge Leo Sorokin to order the airlines to end their "Northeast Alliance" partnership, saying it would lead to higher fares in busy Northeastern airports. The agreement allows American and JetBlue to sell each other's flights in their New York-area and Boston networks and link frequent flyer programs, giving them more muscle to compete with United and Delta in the Northeast. American and JetBlue have denied wrongdoing and asked Sorokin to dismiss the lawsuit.<br/>