Settlements Affect Purchasers of Airline Tickets between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or the Pacific Islands

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the law firms of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP and Hausfeld, LLP.

Settlements have been reached with eight airlines in a class action lawsuit involving the price of airline tickets. The Settling Defendants are: Air France; Cathay Pacific; Japan Airlines; Malaysian Airlines; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; Thai Airways; and Vietnam Airlines. The lawsuit continues against five Non-Settling Defendant airlines: Air New Zealand; All Nippon Airways ("ANA"); China Airlines (Taiwan); EVA Airways; and Philippines Airlines.

The lawsuit claims that the Defendants agreed to fix prices on tickets for transpacific air travel. As a result, ticket purchasers may have paid more than was necessary. The Settling Defendants deny the allegations, and deny that they have any liability. The Defendant airlines also deny liability, although ANA has pled guilty to fixing the prices of certain discounted tickets.

Purchasers are included if: (1) they bought a ticket for air travel from one of 26 airlines; (2) the ticket included at least one flight segment between the U.S. and Asia or Oceania; and (3) the purchase was made between January 1, 2000 and the present. A more complete description of eligibility requirements is available at www.AirlineSettlement.com, or by calling 1.800.439.1781 (in the U.S. or Canada) or 1.612.359.2900 (International).

The Settling Defendants have agreed to pay $39,502,000 (the "Settlement Fund"). Money will not be distributed yet, and will be distributed pursuant to a Plan of Allocation approved by the Court. Class Counsel will pursue the lawsuit against the Non-Settling Defendants.

Important Information

• Purchasers will need to submit a Claim Form online or by mail. The earliest deadline to file a claim is September 19, 2015, but they will have until 120 days after the Settlements become final and effective to file a claim.
• Purchasers who do nothing will not get a payment and give up the right to sue.
• Purchasers who want to keep the right to sue the Defendants must exclude themselves by April 17, 2015.
• Purchasers who stay in the Settlements can object to them by April 17, 2015.

The Court will hold a hearing in this case on May 22, 2015, to consider whether to approve the Settlements. Class Counsel have not requested attorneys' fees and reimbursement of costs at this time but will do so in connection with the hearing. For the current Settlements, Class Counsel will request up to one-third of the Settlement Fund plus up to $7,500 for each of the class representatives. Class Counsel has asked the Court to set aside an additional $3 million of the Settlement Fund to cover future expenses.

Please visit the website, www.AirlineSettlement.com for more information, important documents, and case updates.