Fly a major airline in recent years? You could be getting paid

If you’ve flown on a major airline in the last seven years, you may have some money coming to you.

That’s because a class-action lawsuit settlement currently being worked out that could cost the four largest carriers in the United States several million dollars.

American, Delta, United and Southwest are all involved in the litigation. But so far, without conceding any wrongdoing, Southwest and American airlines are the only two who have agreed to a settlement. As a result, litigation against the other airlines continues.

Flown on a major airline in recent years? You may be getting paid

The lawsuit — technically an antitrust case — stems from the claim that the major carriers conspired to limit capacity on domestic flights by increasing the price of airfare. As a result, the lawsuit alleges, ticket purchasers may have paid artificially inflated prices.

A settlement website has been set up to facilitate the claims. Here’s how to tell if you qualify as a claimant:

Airline lawsuit: You are a lawsuit claimant if you…

Purchased a flight within the U.S., its territories and the District of Columbia
Purchased from the four major airlines listed or their subsidiaries and affiliates, including US Airways and Continental
Purchased an airline ticket between July 1, 2011 to Dec. 20, 2017 for Southwest Airlines and between July 1, 2011 to June 14, 2018 for American Airlines

Some news reports have said that people are getting emails letting them know that they are a potential claimant. While that may be true, the settlement website says the determination of who gets paid has not yet been made.

How much money can you get?

Right now it is unknown how much money will be paid out to individuals included in the settlement. According to the settlement website: “Southwest has paid $15 million and American has paid $45 million to settle the lawsuit in exchange for releases of claims against them… in addition, a portion of the Settlement Funds may be used to pay Class Counsel, to pay expenses they have incurred in the litigation, and to help pay expenses they may incur as they pursue claims against the Non-Settling Defendants.”

Some people may not be able to remember if they flew a major airline in that time period. If you’re not sure whether you’re a potential claimant in the settlement, you can call 1-866-459-3634 with questions, or review this notice for additional information.

You can also write with questions to Domestic Air Settlements, P.O. Box 44, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0044 or email [email protected].

What’s next?

For more information, you can register on this website to be directly notified of any future settlements, the terms of the distribution plan for the Settlements, and other information concerning the litigation.

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