The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston will hear an appeal in June from JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, contesting a ruling that blocked their proposed $3.8 billion merger. JetBlue and Spirit had hoped for a faster timeline, as the merger agreement stipulates a deadline of July 24 for finalizing the deal. The U.S. Department of Justice, which sued to prevent the merger, advocated for the slower schedule, arguing that antitrust concerns require thorough review. The case's latest schedule requires the airlines to submit their initial brief by February 26 and is expected to be fully prepared for review by April 25. The legal battle revolves around the antitrust implications of the merger, with the Justice Department arguing that it would reduce competition and lead to higher fares.