Representative Cases

G&E serves as interim co-lead counsel and liaison counsel on behalf of airline passengers in an antitrust case against global distribution systems Sabre Holdings Corp., Amadeus IT Group SA, and Travelport Worldwide Ltd., claiming the companies formed a cartel to negotiate advantageous contracts with airlines, leading to inflated ticket prices. Global distribution systems provide a link between airlines and ticket sellers, similar to travel agents.  Plaintiffs allege that the defendants negotiated contracts that grant them access to certain airlines’ fares while at the same time barring the carriers from offering discounted tickets through other channels. The defendants are alleged to have used this leverage to elicit higher fees than they could have gotten in a competitive market.