Did you buy a ticket from a U.S. airline in the past four years? You may have overpaid due to an alleged scheme among major airlines to limit competition and raise fares. Learn more »
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Hagens Berman is investigating whether U.S. airlines are exchanging competitive pricing data through a central database to reduce competition and drive up prices. The airlines under investigation include American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska and JetBlue.
If you bought a ticket from one of these airlines, you may have rights through a potential class-action lawsuit. Fill out the form to share your details with our legal team »
WHO IS AFFECTED?
You may be affected if, in the past four years, you bought a ticket:
- For a domestic U.S. flight
- On American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska or JetBlue
Businesses that bought air travel for their employees may also be affected.
Fill out the form to learn more »
HOW THE AIRLINE INFORMATION-EXCHANGE WORKS
The Airline Tariff Publishing Company (ATPCO) is the airline industry’s central fare database, owned and governed by the airlines themselves. In 2023, its board included representatives from eleven airlines, including American, Delta and United, three of the nation’s largest carriers.
Through its subsidiary 3Victors, ATPCO collects consumer fare shopping data from participating airlines and sells the resulting competitive intelligence back to them. American, Alaska, and JetBlue have been publicly identified as 3Victors customers, and a Southwest pricing manager presented at ATPCO’s 2026 industry conference. Together, airlines that sit on ATPCO’s board or use its competitive pricing tools carry roughly 80% of U.S. domestic passengers.
ATPCO allegedly also hosts working groups and conferences where pricing and revenue-management staff from competing airlines meet with ATPCO and 3Victors personnel to discuss dynamic pricing and competitive intelligence.
Antitrust law prohibits competitors from sharing current pricing information when the exchange is likely to weaken competition. ATPCO’s own research found that airlines earn more when they price the same way, and that an airline that cuts fares takes business from its rivals. Shared pricing data makes it easier for each airline to see whether competitors are holding prices up or undercutting them.
ATPCO’s fare system has faced antitrust scrutiny before. In 1992, the U.S. Department of Justice sued ATPCO and eight major airlines, alleging they used the system to communicate with one another about fares. The case ended in consent decrees restricting that conduct, which expired in 2003 and 2004.
ABOUT HAGENS BERMAN
Hagens Berman is a nationally recognized consumer-rights law firm and has achieved total settlements and victories valued at more than $345 billion for clients and class members in lawsuits against some of the world’s largest corporations. Hagens Berman has achieved record-breaking settlements in consumer-protection lawsuits, and your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in this area of law.
NO COST TO YOU
In no case will any class member be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class's legal team.
