Airfare has been painfully expensive this year, with airlines largely blaming the soaring cost of jet fuel. Executives have also warned travelers that those higher prices may be here to stay. But a new lawsuit claims something else could be helping keep those fares high.

Seven of the biggest airlines in the United States have been accused of sharing private pricing data with one another to discourage discounts. The proposed class action claims the arrangement has left travelers paying artificially inflated prices for their tickets.

Airlines Accused of Sharing Fare Data

The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 4 in federal court in Seattle on behalf of two travelers, Ashley Ward of California and Gregory Morris of New Jersey, according to The Seattle Times .…