Category: Tickets

Federal appeals court rules that “nonrefundable” means . . . nonrefundable

March 8, 2018

Martin v. United Airlines, Inc. (10th Cir. Feb. 21, 2018).  After buying several “nonrefundable” tickets via United’s website, the customers/plaintiffs, a married couple, canceled their reservations before the ticketed departure dates.  They alleged they attempted, without success, to make new reservations within the one-year deadline set forth in United’s Contract of Carriage for booking a new … More Federal appeals court rules that “nonrefundable” means . . . nonrefundable

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

ARC lawsuit not impacted by alleged fraudsters’ motion to dismiss

June 14, 2017

Airlines Reporting Corporation v. Begator Hila, Elvira Ejupi and Albania Travel & Tour, Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. May 31, 2017).  In its Amended Complaint, ARC alleged that Hila and Ejupi, through Albania Travel, defrauded ARC of over $249,000 through a ticket exchange scheme.  Hila was the president and sole owner of Albania Travel; Ejupi ran … More ARC lawsuit not impacted by alleged fraudsters’ motion to dismiss

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

Airline’s conditions of carriage withstand tropical storm

February 19, 2015

Chen v. China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. (N.Y. City Civ. Nov. 20, 2014).  The passenger/plaintiff bought a six-segment China Eastern ticket from an online travel agent.  After taking the first two flights (New York to Shanghai and Shanghai to Manila), the plaintiff took a side trip in the Philippines on a different airline.  The plaintiff … More Airline’s conditions of carriage withstand tropical storm

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

ARC case ends up where it started after excursion through federal court

November 4, 2011

Airlines Reporting Corporation v. Sudbury Travel, Ltd. (E.D.V.A. Sept. 28, 2011).  In 2009, ARC initiated an arbitration before the Travel Agent Arbiter seeking amounts owed by accredited agent Sudbury Travel, Ltd.  Less than three weeks later, ARC withdrew its arbitration complaint.  In his dismissal notice, the Arbiter noted that the applicable rule allowed such withdrawal … More ARC case ends up where it started after excursion through federal court

Holders of airline gift cards who did not use them, lost them

February 13, 2011

Restivo v. Continental Airlines, Inc. (Ohio App. Jan. 20, 2011).  Continental sold gift cards for air transportation that were valid for one year after issuance.  Purchasers agreed in writing to the one-year validity period.  When the airline refused to honor expired cards, cardholders commenced a class action lawsuit, alleging that Continental had violated Ohio’s gift … More Holders of airline gift cards who did not use them, lost them

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: revenue protection weapon for airlines

December 5, 2010

Note:  This post is an abridged version of the article I wrote for the Autumn 2010 issue of Issues in Aviation Law and Policy, which is published by the International Aviation Law Institute of DePaul University College of Law.  Click here for the full version. Until the last few years, airlines sustained significant revenue losses from “bust-outs” … More The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: revenue protection weapon for airlines

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