Aviation
With a hard-earned track record that stretches back six decades, O’Melveny is the counsel of choice for the biggest names in aviation.
2025 Aviation Year in Review: Corporate and Litigation Highlights
With a hard-earned track record that stretches back six decades, O’Melveny is the counsel of choice for the biggest names in aviation.
2025 Aviation Year in Review: Corporate and Litigation Highlights
O’Melveny’s aviation practice is peerless. Our dedicated team of aviation lawyers represents nearly all the US passenger and cargo airlines, airport owners and operators, investors, and developers. Our clients trust us because we offer one of the few comprehensive legal platforms in the industry, with top-notch labor, antitrust, litigation, employment, infrastructure, and equipment finance support.
Labor. O’Melveny is the premier law firm for Railway Labor Act counseling and litigation. For more than 40 years, we have advised passenger and cargo airlines and airline service companies on all aspects of the RLA. We advise airlines on the RLA consequences of merger transactions, represent them in proceedings before the National Mediation Board, arbitrate significant cases, litigate in federal court, and participate in collective bargaining negotiations. Over the past five years, our lawyers have represented US passenger and cargo airlines in more than 300 labor lawsuits, arbitrations, and collective-bargaining negotiations.
Antitrust. Having played a decisive role in every significant ownership change since the aviation industry was deregulated in 1978—including the US Airways–American Airlines merger, which created the world’s largest airline—we have the resources and know-how to help airlines obtain antitrust clearances and succeed in merger-related litigation.
Litigation. With O’Melveny’s litigation heft, it’s no surprise our aviation team ably guides airline clients in high-stakes consumer class action, air crash, passenger removal and general commercial litigation. We know that aviation litigation isn’t “run of the mill” and have extensive experience in all airline-specific defenses such as Airline Deregulation Act preemption.
Employment. We regularly counsel airlines on employment matters and represent them in wage and hour, discrimination and other class action litigation throughout the country. Our litigators have helped obtain dismissals of all or substantial portions of employment class actions, as well as successfully litigated to verdict complex and novel employment claims.
Infrastructure. Our aviation infrastructure lawyers represent airline sponsors, investor groups, and other stakeholders in financing and infrastructure projects at airports throughout the US. Their work has included the first-ever public bid to privatize a large hub airport in the US and the largest airport-sector public-private partnership in the world.
Financing. Our aircraft finance lawyers represent airlines, aircraft- and engine-leasing companies, trustees, banks, and private equity investors on the transfer, lease, use, and financing of aircraft and other transportation equipment.
Advised Alaska Airlines on its agreement to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for approximately US$1.9 billion in cash.
Prevailed on motion to dismiss in a proposed consumer class action claiming Alaska impermissibly reduced the number of flights available to members of its flight pass subscription program.
Prevailed on summary judgment in long-running litigation arising from American’s roll-out of new uniforms for its pilots, flight attendants, and customer service agents.
Prevailed on a motion to dismiss a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime claim against American Airlines by demonstrating that the plaintiff, a customer service representative, was exempt from FLSA overtime protections as an employee of an air carrier governed by the Railway Labor Act.
Obtained dismissal of a biometric privacy class claim in a first-of-its-kind decision, critically important to the industry as a whole, amid states’ increasing efforts to adopt biometric privacy laws.
Secured a win for what was previously US Airways in a closely watched re-trial of a landmark monopolization and rule-of-reason two-sided market case brought against travel-booking company Sabre Corp.
Guided Asiana Airlines through complex international regulatory clearances to complete its transaction with Korean Air, positioning the combined airline among the world’s top 10 carriers.
Helped this client and the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority execute a 43-year Lease & Development Agreement for a major upgrade of the Connecticut airport. The transaction is structured as a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership (P3) between an airport and a private operator, making this an historic deal not only for Avports, but for the US aviation industry as a whole. We also represented Avports in connection with a 40-year lease agreement with Manassas Regional Airport.
Advised on a US$1.4 billion term loan credit agreement with a new leasing vehicle and the acquisition of a portfolio of 70 aircraft.
Advised bank lenders in the financing of over US$2 billion of debt facilities for the acquisition of aircraft by major airlines including American, Atlas, Delta, DHL and Republic.
Represented the client in connection with the acquisition of multiple aircraft portfolios.
Represented the client in various financing and aircraft acquisitions and dispositions.
Represents investors and other participants in in an agreement to build, finance, and operate a new US$4.2 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The completed terminal, which will total more than one million square feet and include capacity for 10 gates, will provide an anchor for passenger travel on JFK’s north side. Our client JFK Millennium Partners—which includes Vantage Airport Group, American Triple I, RXR Realty LLC, and JetBlue Airways—has partnered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the governmental agency that oversees JFK, to execute the project.
Represents LaGuardia Gateway Partners in connection with its internal affairs as well as its ongoing management and operation of the redeveloped Central Terminal at New York LaGuardia Airport, including in connection with corporate governance, leasing, financing, construction, and environmental matters. Recent matters include strategic planning for potential facilities expansion and renewal of LGP’s airline and other key user agreements.
Represented the client, as administrative agent, in connection with a US$600 million term loan B facility for a leading aircraft leasing company, secured by a portfolio of aircraft.
Prevailed on motion to dismiss as to 121 out of 125 plaintiffs (flight attendants and pilots), who alleged claims for disparate impact, disparate treatment, and retaliation under Title VII and the Americans with Disability Act based on Southwest’s Covid-19 quarantine policies.
Advised the client in connection with several aircraft backed securitizations worth over US$8 billion.
Won full dismissal of a putative class lawsuit (currently on appeal), where thousands of former United employees sought pay and other retirement benefits that were part of COVID-era voluntary separation programs.
Prevailed on motion to dismiss in putative wage and hour class action on behalf of all United flight attendants based in New Jersey based on RLA preemption.
Seven-time Winner, Transportation Group of the Year
—Law360 (2017-20, 2023-25)
“O’Melveny is a national powerhouse with a strong practice in aviation finance. The group is particularly proficient and skilled in aviation infrastructure and equipment finance. The team advise an array of clients from government agencies and private sponsors to airlines and private equity investors.”
—Chambers USA, Transportation: Aviation Finance
O’Melveny considered “a pacesetter in the world of aviation transport infrastructure development. Their knowledge of the aviation industry and airport authorities is legendary.”
—Chambers USA, Transportation: Aviation Finance
O’Melveny praised for its “notable expertise in the issues affecting airlines under the Railway Labor Act.”
—Chambers USA, Transportation: Aviation Litigation
Recognized as a top firm for Aviation Finance & Aviation Litigation —Legal 500 US and UK
- “With significant regulatory knowledge, litigation experience and a widely respected Railway Labor Act (RLA) practice, O'Melveny ’s aviation litigation practice is sought out by major airline industry clients to handle high-stakes disputes.”
- O’Melveny “maintains its reputation as a strong Railway Labor Act practice and is noted for its particular expertise in the aviation sector, handling a full-range of labor-related issues related to M&A, labor disputes and unfair labor practice charges.”
- “The team has worked with so many airlines in the industry for so long, and has depth and knowledge about what to expect and how clients should best position themselves.”
- “O’Melveny provides an excellent blend of legal ability and commerciality” and “punch[es] above its weight by virtue of its ability to leverage wider corporate, finance and tax capabilities as well as its New York practice.”