Category: Passenger claims – international flights

Airline prevails on “real party in interest” defense in EU 261 lawsuit brought by claims management company

December 8, 2020

Click 2 Refund Inc. v. British Airways Plc (C.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2019).  EU 261’s robust compensation provisions have spawned a thriving industry of web-based “claims management companies” that offer to assist airline customers in obtaining recoveries for canceled or delayed flights on a “no win, no fee” basis.  One such company claims that it … More Airline prevails on “real party in interest” defense in EU 261 lawsuit brought by claims management company

Schengen Agreement argument fails to support customer’s refusal to transport claim

February 19, 2020

Gleissner v. Air China Airlines Limited (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2020).  For a flight from Barcelona to Vienna, Air China refused to allow a member of the plaintiff’s entourage to check in because she lacked a valid visa to enter Austria.  The ticketholder held a single-entry visa for the Schengen Area, an area in Europe that, … More Schengen Agreement argument fails to support customer’s refusal to transport claim

D.C. Circuit upholds forum non conveniens dismissal in MH370 litigation

January 26, 2020

In re Air Crash Over the Southern Indian Ocean (D.C. Cir. Jan. 10, 2020).  In the multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Malaysian Airline System Berhad, Malaysia Airlines Berhad and other defendants arising out of the disappearance of flight MH370, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss … More D.C. Circuit upholds forum non conveniens dismissal in MH370 litigation

Court trims passengers’ claims in case alleging hard landing injuries

January 11, 2018

Callahan v. United Airlines, Inc. (W.D. Okla. Sept. 28, 2017).  In their amended complaint, the passengers/plaintiffs alleged that the hard landing of their flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Houston caused permanent injuries to plaintiff Sylvia Callahan’s spine.  The other plaintiff, Ms. Callahan’s husband, did not allege any physical injuries from the landing.  The plaintiffs advanced … More Court trims passengers’ claims in case alleging hard landing injuries

Court rules that rejected pre-litigation settlement demand does not create entitlement to attorneys’ fees under Montreal Convention

December 9, 2016

Bytska v. Swiss International Air Lines, Ltd. (N.D. Ill. Nov. 28, 2016).  In her 45-page complaint, the passenger/plaintiff alleged that Swiss and Ukraine International Airlines were liable under the Montreal Convention and EU 261 due to delays in her flights from Kiev to Chicago via Zurich.  As part of her claim under the Convention, the … More Court rules that rejected pre-litigation settlement demand does not create entitlement to attorneys’ fees under Montreal Convention

Ninth Circuit confirms inviolability of Montreal Convention’s two-year lawsuit filing limit

October 17, 2016

Von Schoenebeck v. Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (9th Cir. Aug. 10, 2016).  During a 2008 KLM flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco, Ms. Schoenebeck sustained neck and back injuries when a seat backrest collapsed.  Less than two years after the flight arrived in San Francisco, Ms. Schoenebeck filed an action against KLM in South Africa.  … More Ninth Circuit confirms inviolability of Montreal Convention’s two-year lawsuit filing limit

Airline that took all reasonable measures in response to bird strike not liable for international travel delay

September 15, 2016

Bernfeld v. US Airways, Inc. (N.D. Ill. Apr. 20, 2016).  The plaintiffs, three family members, were traveling from Israel to Chicago, with a connection in Philadelphia.  The US Airways aircraft that was to operate the connecting flight sustained a bird strike en route to Philadelphia and was removed from service so the airline could conduct … More Airline that took all reasonable measures in response to bird strike not liable for international travel delay

Montreal Convention cancels ticketholders’ canceled ticket claims

June 23, 2016

Papaiyawala v. Saudi Arabian Airlines (E.D.V.A. Apr. 15, 2016).  The plaintiffs, a married couple, had purchased tickets for the wife’s parents to travel from India to New York.  Several days before the outbound flight, Saudia canceled the tickets in response to a fraud alert from the plaintiffs’ credit card company and then initiated the process … More Montreal Convention cancels ticketholders’ canceled ticket claims

Passenger’s claim based on seating-related injury fails under Montreal Convention

March 2, 2016

Plonka v. US Airways (E.D. Pa. Oct. 27, 2015).  During a flight from Philadelphia to Germany, the passenger/plaintiff was seated behind a seat under which was affixed a hard plastic box, known as an “IFE box,” that contained wiring for the seatback entertainment system.  The plaintiff alleged in his pro se complaint that, during the … More Passenger’s claim based on seating-related injury fails under Montreal Convention

Passenger’s fear of contagious disease not compensable under Montreal Convention

November 30, 2015

Jane Doe v. Etihad Airways, P.J.S.C. (E.D. Mich. Oct. 13, 2015).  During a flight from Abu Dhabi to Chicago, the passenger/plaintiff was pricked by a discarded syringe when she reached into in a seatback pocket.  The plaintiff sought treatment from her physician, who prescribed antiviral drugs and HIV and hepatitis tests.  The tests, which were … More Passenger’s fear of contagious disease not compensable under Montreal Convention