Lynn Robinson, et al. v. American Airlines, Inc., et al.

Since the enactment of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, there has been confusion and uncertainty among the courts as to what the answer is to the question presented. There is confusion and uncertainty because the Supreme Court has never answered this question directly and clearly. Provided a court seeks to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the parties, may the court use and apply a State’s common-law contract laws, rules and principles (for example, the doctrine of unconscionability, the rule against forfeitures, and the rule of approximating terms) to interpret and construct an airlines’ adhesion contract with consumers, just like they do every other day in contract dispute cases?