US airlines settle class action suit

Southwest and American Airlines have agreed to settle nationwide litigation by passengers who claim the four largest US carriers along with Continental Airlines and US Airways conspired to decrease capacity, thereby increasing fares on domestic flights.  The settling defendants deny that they did anything wrong, have asserted defenses to the claims, and have settled to avoid the burden and expense of litigation. The claim was brought by Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP and Hausfeld, LLP. The settlement classes include persons and entities who purchased air passenger transportation services for flights within the United States and its territories and the District