Category: Passenger claims – international flights

Montreal Convention two-year limitation period not subject to tolling under local law

January 19, 2011

Duay v. Continental Airlines, Inc. (S.D. Tex. Dec. 21, 2010).  After arriving in Texas on a Continental flight from Switzerland, the plaintiff discovered at the baggage claim area that his custom-fitted wheelchair had been damaged.  Continental provided the plaintiff with a replacement wheelchair, which he used for the remainder of his trip in the United … More Montreal Convention two-year limitation period not subject to tolling under local law

DOT enforces consumer-friendly interpretation of Montreal Convention baggage liability provisions

January 4, 2011

As previously reported, on March 26, 2009 DOT issued a “Guidance on Airline Baggage Liability and Responsibilities of Code-Share Partners Involving International Itineraries” that states in part as follows:  “Although carriers may wish to have tariff terms that prohibit passengers from including certain items in checked baggage, once a carrier accepts checked baggage, whatever is … More DOT enforces consumer-friendly interpretation of Montreal Convention baggage liability provisions

Airline prevails on summary judgment by proving it took all reasonable measures to avoid delaying passengers

December 2, 2010

Cohen v. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 8, 2010).  The plaintiffs had tickets for travel from New York (JFK) to Buenos Aires, Argentina, connecting in Atlanta.  Due to an air traffic control mandate, the flight to Atlanta was delayed, and, as a result, the plaintiffs missed the flight to Buenos Aires.  Delta booked the … More Airline prevails on summary judgment by proving it took all reasonable measures to avoid delaying passengers

Airline obtains summary judgment in case involving passenger assault and false arrest claims

November 30, 2010

Ginsberg v. American Airlines (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2010).  The plaintiff was a passenger on an American flight from New York (JFK) to Turks and Caicos.  After visiting the restroom during the flight, the plaintiff moved a food cart out of his way so he could return to his seat.  However, a flight attendant had instructed … More Airline obtains summary judgment in case involving passenger assault and false arrest claims

Airline’s liability for injury caused by fellow passenger limited by Montreal Convention

February 28, 2010

Wright v. American Airlines, Inc. (N.D. Tex. Feb. 8, 2010).  Article 21 of the Montreal Convention governs the compensation owed by an airline for a passenger’s bodily injury or death.  Where an “accident” within the meaning of Article 17(1) has occurred, Article 21(1) provides that the airline is strictly liable for provable damages not exceeding … More Airline’s liability for injury caused by fellow passenger limited by Montreal Convention

Plaintiff avoids preemptive effect of Montreal Convention by court’s holding that claims are for non-performance, not delay

July 29, 2009

Mullaney v. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. June 3, 2009).  According to the plaintiff, Delta canceled his return flight from Paris to New York due to a strike by employees of Air France (Delta’s codeshare partner) and breached its written promise to reimburse customers who booked substitute flights on other airlines.  In his class action … More Plaintiff avoids preemptive effect of Montreal Convention by court’s holding that claims are for non-performance, not delay

Passenger’s second visit to Fifth Circuit yields additional baggage damages but no attorneys’ fees

May 31, 2009

Muoneke v. Compagnie Nationale Air France (5th Cir. Tex. May 12, 2009).  In 2004, the passenger traveled from Texas to Nigeria on Air France’s flights.  During a change of aircraft in Paris, Air France personnel required that the passenger check the baggage she had carried onto the prior flight.  The passenger claimed that when she … More Passenger’s second visit to Fifth Circuit yields additional baggage damages but no attorneys’ fees

Court analyzes definition of “international carriage” under Montreal Convention

February 28, 2009

Jones v. USA 3000 Airlines (E.D. Mo. Feb. 9, 2009).  During a flight from St. Louis to Jamaica, a flight attendant allegedly pushed a service cart into the passenger’s knee, causing damage to the passenger’s “entire nervous system which had been severely shocked and deranged.”  The passenger filed a lawsuit against the airline in state … More Court analyzes definition of “international carriage” under Montreal Convention

Court’s narrow view of Montreal Convention preemption results in remand to state court

January 31, 2009

Narkiewicz-Laine v. Scandinavian Airlines Systems (N.D. Ill. Sept. 12, 2008).  In his state court complaint, the passenger claimed that (i) the airline’s delay of a certain international flight in March 2008 caused him to miss his connecting flight, and (ii) the airline refused to refund his ticket for an international flight scheduled for June 2006, … More Court’s narrow view of Montreal Convention preemption results in remand to state court

Court rules that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction in case against Spanish airline involving passenger in-flight death

November 2, 2008

Aikpitanhi v. Iberia Airlines of Spain (E.D. Mich. Mar. 31, 2008).  The plaintiffs’ son died during an Iberia flight from Spain to Nigeria in 2007 while being deported.  The plaintiffs sued Iberia, alleging that Spanish law enforcement agents, by their conduct before and during the flight, caused the death of their son and that airline … More Court rules that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction in case against Spanish airline involving passenger in-flight death