FORT LAUDERDALE – A Florida woman recently filed a class action suit against JetBlue Airways claiming deceptive trade practices and unjust enrichment regarding the airline's sale of travel insurance.
Milita Barbara Dolan filed the suit Sept. 17 on behalf of herself and others in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint goes into detail about the step-by-step process for buying a ticket on JetBlue.
As stated in the petition, “There is no way to purchase a ticket on JetBlue’s website without making an election regarding trip insurance. This marketing is intended to create the impression that the trip insurance is in the consumer’s best interest – while hiding the fact that JetBlue is pushing the product because it is in its financial interest to generate sales.”
Plaintiff further states that JetBlue says that trip insurance is in the best interests of the consumer and makes no effort to reveal what the monetary reward for JetBlue may be. As an example, the suit cites a paragraph on the JetBlue website that says, “Recommended by AGA Service Company, the licensed producer and administrator of this plan. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, learn more. Plan underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company or BCS Insurance Company.” There is no mention of JetBlue’s financial interest in their customers’ purchase of trip insurance, the suit claims.
The suit requests "certification of the class, a jury trial and judgment against JetBlue in addition to an order requiring JetBlue to make full disclosure to consumers of its receipt or retention of trip insurance premiums sold on its website and the amount of the kickback it retains or receives.”
Other relief requested includes costs of the suit, attorneys’ fees, damages to be determined at trial, pre- and post- judgment interest, and “restitution of the amount JetBlue was enriched as a result of the wrongs alleged herein, in an amount to be determined at trial.”
Legal counsel for the plaintiff is listed in the complaint as Scott B. Cosgrove, Alec H. Schultz, John R. Byrne, and Jeremy L. Kahn from the Leon Cosgrove Law Firm in Coral Gables.