Airlines

In the early 1980s a number of airline companies obtained a federal court order in Texas that prevented California and 33 other states from bringing any action against the airlines for deceptive acts, false advertising or unfair business practices.

The Attorney General's Office argued that a Texas federal court had no jurisdiction over states other than Texas. In addition, this office argued that Congress had never intended to prevent the states from utilizing their false advertising statutes against airlines. However, the Federal Appeals Court disagreed and held that airlines were exempt from state false advertising laws. We are prohibited from bringing any action against airlines for deceptive practices or false advertising.

If you feel that you have been a victim of consumer fraud or deception by the actions of a particular airline, you should contact the United States Department of Transportation:

United States Department of Transportation
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington D.C. 20590
Phone: (202) 366-2220
website: airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm

Also, you may wish to contact your congressional representatives to notify them of your concerns and problems in regard to this particular industry. To contact your representatives, go to: Senate.gov and House.gov.