Domestic Airline Travel Antitrust Litigation
The causation theory underpinning the allegations is that the airlines' coordinated capacity limitations and price-fixing directly caused consumer harm by reducing supply and inflating fares. Courts have emphasized that circumstantial evidence, such as parallel conduct, shared data, and industry statements, supports the inference of conspiracy. Expert analyses indicate capacity restrictions were not justified by external factors like fuel prices or demand, establishing a causal link between the conspiracy and consumer harm. The courts have rejected motions for summary judgment where evidence suggests that capacity reductions and fare hikes were not independent market responses but part of a collusive scheme.
105
Pending actions
111
Total actions filed
Active
Status
10/13/2015
Established
Who qualifies
Plaintiffs include individuals and entities who purchased airline tickets for domestic flights between January 2009 and mid-2015 from the involved airlines. The class encompasses all fare classes affected by the conspiracy, including economy, business, and first class. Plaintiffs must demonstrate they paid inflated fares due to the conspiracy, with claims based on price-fixing and market allocation violations of the Sherman Act. The class period is specifically tied to the timeframe during which the conspiracy is alleged to have occurred, primarily from early 2009 to mid-2015, and claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations for aviation claims, rooted in international treaties ([FindLaw](https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dis-crt-dis-col/115064598.html)).
Products involved
- Major U.S. airlines involved in the conspiracy, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest
Alleged injuries
- Inflated airline ticket prices due to conspiracy
- Reduced market competition leading to higher fares
- Economic harm to consumers and businesses relying on affordable air travel
This page is generated from the official JPML pending-MDL report and public court records, refreshed monthly. It is provided for attorney reference and is not legal advice.
