Airlines
American Airlines to pay $7.5M in class action settlement over bag fees
American Airlines to pay at least $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it overcharged passengers for checked bags.
An agreement was reached last week that requires American Airlines to pay at least $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it overcharged passengers for checked bags.
In accordance with the settlement agreement, American would deposit a minimum of $7.5 million into a settlement account, according to a court document made on October 14 by the plaintiffs’ lawyers. All passengers who were mistakenly charged a baggage fee within the predetermined dates would be entitled to a refund. According to the petition, Americans would be compelled to pay the whole sum if claims exceeded $7.5 million, “completely refunding at-issue luggage fees for all legitimate claimants.”
Before the case went to trial, attorneys reached a preliminary agreement. Last week, the settlement was brought to Judge Reed O’Connor, who has approved the agreement before it can be finalized. Holders of co-branded American credit cards and members of the AAdvantage loyalty program with elite status filed the lawsuit, claiming they were charged baggage fees despite being excluded from them according to the carrier’s rules.
On domestic and short-haul international flights, American normally charges $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second checked bag. In 2018, those charges were raised from $25 to $35. A minimum of one complimentary checked bag is, however, available to AAdvantage members with an elite level. Furthermore, cardholders of several co-branded American credit cards receive complimentary checked luggage.
The settlement fund’s administrators are still determining how to compensate passengers, but individuals who may be impacted should be informed.
Airlines
First Look: IndiGo Takes Delivery of A321neo with New Business Class
India’s largest domestic airline, IndiGo (6E), celebrated its 18th anniversary in August 2024 by announcing a major upgrade: a new Business Class product called “IndiGo Stretch.”
Now, the airline has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo aircraft fitted with these premium seats. Registered as VT-ICF, this first A321neo with the new configuration took off from Hamburg (XFW) at 6:06 PM local time, operating flight 6E9001.
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The launch route for IndiGo’s A321neo with IndiGo Stretch seats will be from Delhi to Mumbai, starting November 14, 2024. After this initial route, the airline plans to expand the offering across its network.
Airbus completed the final assembly of this special aircraft in Hamburg, where the A321neo Final Assembly Line is located. Enthusiastic planespotters got a sneak peek of the new IndiGo Stretch interior before the aircraft’s official delivery to India.
Tobias Gudat, a planespotter on X.com, captured images of the aircraft, still marked with its test registration, showcasing its fresh Business Class interior.
Adding a distinctive touch, each IndiGo aircraft featuring the Stretch product will have the slogan “IndiGo Means Business” displayed on the fuselage, signaling a new era of premium travel for the airline.
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IndiGo took delivery of the A321neo with the Stretch seats on October 30, 2024, coinciding with Airbus’s delivery of the world’s first A321XLR to Iberia.
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