Complaint. Video evidence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $40,000 penalty.
Summary: failing to honor first fare quote for award travel on US Airways
Edelman and Steele v. Delta Airlines – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
Sri Lankan Airlines – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $20,000 penalty.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
Virgin Atlantic – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $30,000 penalty.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
Distribution at American Airlines (teaching materials)
Edelman, Benjamin. “Distribution at American Airlines (A).” Harvard Business School Case 909-035, January 2009. (Revised June 2009.) (educator access at HBP. request a courtesy copy.)
American Airlines sought to reduce the fees it pays to global distribution services (GDSs)–such as SABRE–to reach travel agents. But GDSs held significant tactical advantages. For example, GDSs had signed long-term exclusive contracts with the corporate customers who were American’s best customers. Furthermore, travel agents tended to favor whichever GDS offered the highest commissions–impeding price competition among GDSs. Against this backdrop, American considered how best to cut its GDS costs.
Supplements:
Distribution at American Airlines (B) – Supplement (HBP 909036)
Distribution at American Airlines (C) – Supplement (HBP 913034)
Distribution at American Airlines (D) – Supplement (HBP 913035)
Teaching Materials:
Distribution at American Airlines (A-D) – Teaching Note (HBP 909059)
Distribution at American Airlines – Slide Supplement (HBP 914039)
Objections to Tentative Decision and Order to Show Cause (IATA 787)
Edelman, Benjamin. “Objections to Tentative Decision and Order to Show Cause (IATA 787).” June 2014. (Before the Department of Transportation.)
I critique Order 2014-5-7 (Docket No. DOT-OST-2013-0048-0415) to the extent that the DOT permits, or purports to permit, airlines to sell tickets other than in accordance with published tariffs. I argue that tariffs provide important benefits to passengers and should be continued notwithstanding the proposed IATA Resolution 787.
Middle East Airlines – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $10,000 penalty.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
Tarom – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer and supplemental submission. Docket and public comments.
Status: Dismissal.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
Air Europa – price advertising violations
Complaint. Answer. Edelman Reply. Air Europa Motion to Strike. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $100,000 penalty.
Summary: mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”
American Airlines – price advertising violations (December 2013)
Complaint. Answer. Docket and public comments.
Status: Consent order. $65,000 penalty. (Consolidated with complaints from two other passengers)
Summary: price advertising violations including mischaracterizing surcharges as “tax”