Category: Special Drawing Rights

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’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

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

Passenger unable to break Montreal Convention baggage liability limit

July 27, 2008

Bassam v. American Airlines (5th Cir. (La.) July 14, 2008).  Four months after her international flight, American Airlines delivered the passenger’s missing baggage to her.  The passenger claimed that items were missing from the baggage, and she sued the airline in state court for over $5,000 for the value of the missing items.  The airline … More Passenger unable to break Montreal Convention baggage liability limit

Court rules on summary judgment motions in charter flights class action

April 28, 2008

In re Nigeria Charter Flights Contract Litigation (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 25, 2007).  In 2002, World Airways, Inc. and Ritetime Aviation and Travel Services, Inc. entered into a charter aircraft services agreement under which World agreed to supply Ritetime with round-trip flights between points in the U.S. and Lagos, Nigeria.  The charter flights began but, by the … More Court rules on summary judgment motions in charter flights class action

Airline’s liability limited even for baggage checked against passenger’s will

May 26, 2007

Booker v. BWIA West Indies Airways Limited (E.D.N.Y. May 8, 2007).  After the passenger had boarded the aircraft for a flight from JFK to Guyana in 2004, the airline required that she check, “against her will,” two bags she was carrying.  When the passenger arrived in Guyana both bags were missing.  The bags did reappear four … More Airline’s liability limited even for baggage checked against passenger’s will

Lost baggage damages limited by Montreal Convention

January 30, 2007

Nunez v. American Airlines (N.Y. App. Jan. 26, 2007).  In a brief opinion, the appeals court upheld the trial court’s decision applying Article 22(2) of the Montreal Convention to limit the two passengers’ damages for loss of their baggage.  The trial court had entered a judgment against the airline for $2,990 (apparently $1,495 per passenger), from which the passengers had appealed.  The appeals … More Lost baggage damages limited by Montreal Convention