TRANSPACIFIC & DOMESTIC AIR SETTLEMENTS
WHAT ARE THESE CASES ABOUT?
Transpacific Air:
The Transpacific Air lawsuits claim that thirteen Defendants and their alleged co-conspirators agreed to fix the prices of airline tickets for travel between the United States and Asia/Oceania. As a result, ticket purchasers may have paid more than was necessary. The Defendant airlines deny they did anything wrong and the Defendants who have agreed to settle the case have done so with no admission of liability. One of the Defendants—All Nippon Airways Company, Limited—has pled guilty to fixing the prices of certain passenger fares on tickets for transpacific air transportation sold in the United States from at least as early as April 1, 2000 until at least April 1, 2004.
Domestic Air:
The Domestic Air lawsuits claim that the four defendant airlines and their alleged co-conspirators agreed to fix the prices of airline tickets for domestic airline travel throughout the United States, and that the conspiracy increased the cost of domestic airline travel from 2011 until the present.
HOW MUCH SETTLEMENT MONEY IS AVAILABLE?
Transpacific Air:
Presently, the gross settlement fund of the Transpacific Air settlements totals approximately $89,300,000. However, the claims deadlines for the first two rounds of settlements totaling $39,502,000 has passed. We anticipate there being a third round for the new $49,900,000 in settlement funds.
Domestic Air:
Presently, the gross settlement fund of the Domestic Air settlements total $60,000,000. We anticipate that these funds will grow substantially if the remaining defendants settle.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COLLECT FROM THESE SETTLEMENTS?
Transpacific Air:
The specific details on class membership are provided below for each Settlement Class:
JAL Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation that included at least one flight segment between the United States and Asia or Oceania from Defendants, or any predecessor, subsidiary, or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1, 2000 and December 4, 2017
Air France/Singapore Airlines/Vietnam Airlines Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation that included at least one flight segment between the United States and Asia or Oceania from Defendants or their co-conspirators, or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1, 2000 and December 4, 2017.
Thai Airways Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation that included at least one flight segment between the United States and Asia or Oceania from Defendants, or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1, 2000 and June 15, 2015.
Malaysian Air Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation that included at least one flight segment between the United States and Asia/Oceania from Defendants or their co-conspirators, or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1, 2000 and December 4, 2017.
Cathay Pacific Airways/Qantas Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation that included at least one flight segment between the United States and Asia or Oceania from Defendants, or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1, 2000 and June 15, 2015.
Philippine Airlines/Air New Zealand Settlement/EVA Airlines/China Airlines Settlement Class: All persons and entities that purchased passenger air transportation originating in the United States that included at least one flight segment to Asia or Oceania from Defendants or their alleged co-conspirators, or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between January 1,2000 and December 1, 2016.
Domestic Air:
All persons and entities that purchased air passenger transportation services for flights within the United States and its territories and the District of Columbia from Defendants or any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, at any time between July 1, 2011 and June 14, 2018 excluding governmental entities and anyone affiliated with the Defendants or any party in the litigation.
WHO ARE THE DEFENDANTS?
Transpacific Air:
The Transpacific Air defendants are comprised of thirteen companies. The following twelve companies have settled:
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- China Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysian Airlines
- Philippines Airlines
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Eva Airways
- Vietnam Airlines
Litigation against Air Nippon Airways remains ongoing. A jury trial is set for July 9, 2018. Air Nippon Airways will either settle with the plaintiffs, lose at trial and be ordered to pay an amount awarded by the court to the settlement fund or win at trial and not have to pay anything.
Domestic Air:
The Domestic Air defendants include the four major providers of air transportation within the continental United States:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
Southwest Airlines reached a $15,000,000 settlement with plaintiffs on December 20, 2017. American Airlines reached a $45,000,000 settlement with plaintiffs on June 14, 2018. Litigation against Delta and United is ongoing and anticipated to extend into 2019 unless settlements are reached at an earlier time.
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE A CLAIM?
Transpacific Air:
Deadlines for the first two rounds of settlements, totaling approximately $39,502,000 have passed. Presently, the deadline for the next $49,900,000 in settlement funds is expected to be set for some time in 2018. Funds will be disbursed to eligible claimants after the case has closed.
Domestic Air:
There is not yet a claims process in place for the Domestic Air settlements as litigation against the remaining defendants is ongoing.