Category: Passenger claims – domestic flights

Airline not liable to passenger for injury sustained while avoiding fast-moving flight attendant

January 19, 2020

Kopp v. Delta Airlines, Inc. (E.D. Ky. Dec. 26, 2019).  During a domestic flight, the passenger/plaintiff was standing in the aisle when a flight attendant came “rushing” toward her “at a high rate of speed,” according to the complaint.  The plaintiff alleged that, while trying to get out of the way, she caught her foot … More Airline not liable to passenger for injury sustained while avoiding fast-moving flight attendant

Elder Abuse Act claim against airline fails in federal district court

May 10, 2018

Balukjian v. Virgin America, Inc. (N.D. Cal. Mar. 9, 2018).  The passenger/plaintiff was traveling on a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Boston with her 93 year-old father, who had a portable oxygen concentrator with him.  During the flight, the plaintiff’s father felt ill.  He asked her for oxygen, which she attempted to provide using … More Elder Abuse Act claim against airline fails in federal district court

Court grants airline’s motion to dismiss boarding discrimination claims

December 22, 2017

Shin v. American Airlines Group, Inc. (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 3, 2017).  The customer/plaintiff alleged that American “dramatically” refused to allow him to board a flight from DFW to Corpus Christi, Texas, “[f]or the mere fact that the Plaintiff was Korean-American,” while allowing white customers to board the flight.  In his complaint, the plaintiff alleged claims under … More Court grants airline’s motion to dismiss boarding discrimination claims

Court enforces conditions of carriage in missing jewelry lawsuit

July 10, 2017

Hekmat v. U.S. Transportation Security Administration and JetBlue Airways Corporation (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29, 2017).  Before her flight from JFK to LAX, the passenger/plaintiff packed eight rings worth over $95,000 in her “Rimowa hard shell suitcase with integrated lock system,” which she then checked with JetBlue.  After retrieving the bag at LAX, the plaintiff “immediately” opened … More Court enforces conditions of carriage in missing jewelry lawsuit

ADA preempts passenger’s negligence claims arising from impact with video monitor

March 5, 2017

Fawemimo v. American Airlines, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 30, 2017).  While approaching her seat on a flight from JFK to LAX, the passenger/plaintiff hit her head on a video monitor mounted on a bulkhead wall of the 767 aircraft.  The plaintiff alleged in her pro se state court complaint against American that the monitor was “reckless … More ADA preempts passenger’s negligence claims arising from impact with video monitor

Airline not liable for refusing to board customer who admitted she appeared to be drunk

September 12, 2016

Pipino v. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (S.D. Fla. July 18, 2016).  When the plaintiff lined up at the gate to board the flight from LaGuardia Airport to Tampa, she was not at her best; she had a chipped a tooth the previous night, had a painful blister on her foot and had consumed three alcoholic … More Airline not liable for refusing to board customer who admitted she appeared to be drunk

ATSA immunizes airline and employee from liability to customer who made bomb reference and disparaged TSA

September 30, 2015

Baez v. JetBlue Airways Corporation (2d. Cir. July 16, 2015).  The plaintiff checked baggage for her JetBlue flight from JFK to Austin, Texas.  However, she appeared at the gate late, after the aircraft’s door had been closed, so the gate agent refused to let her board.  The plaintiff admitted that she then made what the … More ATSA immunizes airline and employee from liability to customer who made bomb reference and disparaged TSA

Passenger’s racial discrimination claims based on airline deplaning come up short

October 29, 2014

Mercer v. Southwest Airlines Co. (N.D. Cal. Sept. 19, 2014).  In his amended complaint, the plaintiff, an African American, alleged that he and fiancée boarded the Southwest LAX-IAH flight with two carry-on bags apiece.  The plaintiff stowed his bags in an overhead compartment and then, “as a gentleman,” proceeded to do the same with one … More Passenger’s racial discrimination claims based on airline deplaning come up short

Court upholds airline’s right to deplane feisty, drunk-acting passenger

October 12, 2014

Lozada v. Delta Airlines, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. June 17, 2014).  The 69-year-old plaintiff eased the pain of a JFK-MIA flight delay by enjoying alcoholic drinks at two airport bars.  The plaintiff alleged that she boarded the aircraft without incident, but Delta disagreed.  According to airline personnel, the plaintiff appeared intoxicated and loudly demanded, in the gate … More Court upholds airline’s right to deplane feisty, drunk-acting passenger

Conditions of carriage withstand tort claims by delayed passengers

February 1, 2012

Lavine v. American Airlines, Inc. (Md. Special App. Dec. 1, 2011).  Using aa.com, the plaintiffs bought two American Airlines tickets for roundtrip transportation originating and terminating at Reagan National Airport, with an intermediate stop at Key West International Airport.  Their outbound itinerary included a connecting flight from Miami International Airport to Key West.  They received an … More Conditions of carriage withstand tort claims by delayed passengers