"Other industries are not subjected to such irrational rules, " A4A Chief Executive Nick Calio said in recent Senate testimony.

WSJ: The Middle Seat: Passenger Rights? What Passenger Rights?

However, the earliest the court is likely to schedule a hearing is sometime next week, after the furloughs have begun, said Nick Calio, head of Airlines for America, which represents major carriers.

WSJ: Airlines, pilots sue government to stop furloughs

Federal officials are making air travel "the poster child for sequestration, ensuring that the 2 million people and 50, 000 tons of cargo that fly every day are impacted by projected delays caused by arbitrary cuts, " said Airlines for America Chief Executive Nick Calio, who was a legislative-affairs assistant to former President George W. Bush.

WSJ: Airlines Dispute Planned Air-Controller Cuts