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Supreme Court Lets Southwest Pilots’ Boeing Suit Proceed in Texas

The denial of review leaves a state appellate ruling in place to keep the union’s 2019 claims in Texas court.

Overview

  • The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Boeing’s appeal, preserving Texas jurisdiction over the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s lawsuit.
  • A Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals ruling had reinstated the case after finding the Railway Labor Act defense applied only to signatories and Boeing was not one.
  • SWAPA alleges Boeing interfered with its relationship with Southwest and fraudulently induced pilots to fly the 737 MAX.
  • The union seeks damages for reduced flying hours, lost wages, and lost union payments tied to the MAX grounding.
  • Causation and damages remain contested, with the parties likely to argue how the 2020 pandemic affects any recovery.