United Airlines sued over canceled flights

CHICAGO (CNN) -- A Chicago-area man filed a class-action lawsuit against United Airlines Friday, claiming his rights were violated when the airline, in the throes of a pilot labor dispute, sold him a ticket last week.

In an 18-page brief filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, Kevin Conboy claims United violated the Consumer Fraud Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act because it knew, and did not tell consumers, that its negotiations with pilots would probably lead to canceled flights.

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Conboy said he was forced to book another flight and rental car to make it to his destination when his August 6 flight was canceled. He said he discovered the cancellation only after he arrived at the airport.

Some United pilots have been declining to work overtime until they receive a new contract, which United says has led to the flight disruptions. Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed over the past week as a result.

Conboy wants the airline to reimburse the cost of his lost ticket, plus expenses for alternative transportation. He also wants compensation for other damages including lost frequent flier miles and "missed business opportunities."

Passengers "suffered enormous out-of-pocket expenses, inconvenience, emotional pain and suffering and loss of profits from business appointments that were missed, and shortened vacations planned months or years in advance," the lawsuit states.

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Air Line Pilots Association
United Airlines
U.S. Department of Transportation

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