WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - Major U.S. airlines are

suing the U.S. Transportation Department over a new rule

requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees.

Airlines for America, along with American Airlines ( AAL ),

Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), United Airlines, JetBlue

Airways ( JBLU ), Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, filed suit in

the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday.

This follows the issuance of USDOT's final rules requiring

airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside

the airfare, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or

unexpected fees. The airline group said the department's rule

will confuse consumers and its "attempt to regulate private

business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its

authority."