Customer Sues Airline for Not Getting What He Paid For — And Wins

A passenger successfully sued Lufthansa Group for failing to provide his pre-ordered kosher meal. Those of us in the U.S. consider would consider it a ‘man bites dog’ event.

Lufthansa argued that he paid for and received transportation. The court rejected this,

The passenger has the right to receive what he paid for. It is a consumer relationship and, unlike what the airline claims, the nonexistence of kosher food, despite having been requested in advance, is not an accessory matter

The passenger took a Swiss flight from Zurich to Sao Paolo in 2012. He sued in Brazilian court and four years later win $1400. The amount was for “moral damage” although he had initially sought $5000.

While this airline meal was delicious, it also wasn’t kosher.

Swiss does promise special meals if ordered at least 24 hours before departure.

Lufthansa will not appeal.

Lufthansa said the flight was operated by SwissAir, which belongs to the Lufthansa Group, and the “technical problem” is uncommon. The food reportedly did not board the airplane with the catering service and therefore was not served.

In the US it is much more difficult to successfully sue an airline, or else I might consider a suit over lack of predeparture beverages. At the very least, we need Supreme Court nominees who will commit tooverturning Ginsburg.