News

Judge dismisses kiosk lawsuit against airline

April 26, 2011

A California federal judge on Monday dismissed a proposed class action brought by the National Federation of the Blind alleging United Air Lines Inc. violated state law by failing to make its airport ticketing kiosks accessible to blind passengers.

According to law360.com, U.S. District Judge William Alsup granted United's motion to dismiss, finding the suit preempted by both the Air Carrier Access Act and the Airline Deregulation Act.

"Because the findings of preemption render amendment futile, the complaint is dismissed without leave to amend," Alsup said in his ruling.

Chris Danielsen, spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind, said the decisionobviously disappointed the group but it plans to carry on its mission.

"We are reviewing our legal options and will continue to advocate for accessibility of airport and airline kiosks using all available courses of action," he said.