Domestic Airlines Price Fixing Settlement

Photo Credit: Unsplash | Updated: June 7, 2023

Claim Form Deadline: Pending

Estimated Payout: Varies

Proof required: N/A

Method of payment: Physical Check

What's This About?

At least $60,000,000 has been established for a settlement fund over allegations that major United States airline companies colluded to gouge customers with unfair pricing tactics. The airline settlement has already been agreed upon with Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The original class action lawsuit was filed against the four largest commercial air passenger carriers in the United States including:

• American Airlines, Inc.,
• Delta Air Lines, Inc.,
• Southwest Airlines Co.,
• United Airlines, Inc.

The airline carrier class action lawsuit alleges that the defendants above (American, United, Delta, and Southwest), along with US Airways and Continental Airlines, worked together to price fix through the use of monopolization and collusion in order to increase fares by limiting capacity on domestic flights intentionally and maliciously, resulting in the artificial and agreed upon price gouging of their collective customers. The settlement is still being litigated for the rest of the airlines that have not yet contributed to the settlement funds in total of $60,000.000.

What's Taking So Long with the Airlines Class Action Settlement?

At this time, the settlement funds received in the American Airlines and Southwest Airlines Settlements, less the Court-approved notice costs, remain in escrow. This is until the other two airlines, United and Delta either: settle, are dismissed, or receive a favorable judgement in which they will not have to contribute to the settlement fund on top of the already agreed-upon $60 million by Southwest and American Airlines.

How Do I Qualify?

The domestic airline settlement include any people or entities/business that meet the following requirements:

• Those who purchased air passenger transportation services for flights,
• Within the United States and its territories and the District of Columbia,
• From Defendants or any predecessor, and any affiliates, including US Airways and Continental,
• At any time between July 1, 2011 and December 20, 2017 for the Southwest Settlement, and
• At any time between July 1, 2011 and June 14, 2018 for the American Settlement.

What Can I Get?

Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $15 million and American has agreed to pay $45 million to settle this nationwide litigation. At this time, it is unknown how much each eligible Settlement Class Member will receive. In order to receive a payment, you will need to file a valid claim form before the claims period ends.

How Do I File a Claim?

THE CLAIMS PERIOD HAS NOT YET BEGUN. A notice about the claims process, including the beginning and end of the claim period, will be made at a later date as ordered by the Court. If you want to receive a notice about the claims process or future settlements, you should submit your contact information on the Registration Form here.