Two other defendants, American Airlines (AAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), previously settled for a respective $45 million and $15 million. Delta and United called their seating capacity reductions a legitimate response to reduced demand, rising fuel prices and the 2008 global financial crisis. Both carriers went through bankruptcy not long before the purported conspiracy began, with United emerging in 2006 and Delta emerging in 2007. United said it was disappointed with the judge's decision, and will seek to have it reconsidered or file an appeal. Payouts will not begin until claims against Delta and United are resolved.

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Persons: Doug Parker, Gary Kelly, Scott Kirby, John Laughter, Sara Nelson, Colleen Kollar, Defendants, Kotelly, United, Jonathan Stempel, Grant McCool Organizations: American Airlines Group Inc, Southwest Airlines Co, United Airlines Holdings Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Washington , D.C, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, U.S . Department of Justice, Passengers, United, Delta, Antitrust Litigation, District of Columbia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington ,, New York