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.

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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.”

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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.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

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“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.