Published
January 6, 2024
Updated
August 2, 2026
The Turkish Airlines settlement addressed alleged delays or failures to refund certain U.S. passengers after airline-canceled flights during the COVID-19 period. The claim process ended in 2023.
Current Status
The settlement is final and no new claim may be filed. Claims were due August 18, 2023, the court granted final approval after the August 24 fairness hearing, and the extended exclusion period ended September 15, 2023. Settlement benefits moved into distribution in November 2023. The official site does not publish a newer general distribution update, so individual voucher or refund issues belong with the official program.StatusFinal; Benefits Entered Distribution
Claim DeadlineAugust 18, 2023 — Passed
Settlement Fund$1 Million Plus Refund Relief
Historical ProofTicket or Reservation Information
What Was the Turkish Airlines Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit alleged that Turkish Airlines breached its General Conditions of Carriage by failing to provide refunds, or failing to provide them within a reasonable time, after the airline canceled flights during the COVID-19 disruption. The General Conditions of Carriage form part of the contract governing matters such as tickets, schedules, cancellations, baggage, and passenger rights. Turkish Airlines denied wrongdoing and liability. The settlement resolved the disputed contract claims without a trial.Who Was Included in the Settlement?
The class generally covered U.S. residents who purchased a ticket for a Turkish Airlines flight scheduled to operate to, from, or within the United States between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, where Turkish Airlines canceled the flight. The settlement included additional conditions and exclusions, including treatment of rebookings, vouchers, chargebacks, no-shows, self-cancellations, prior releases, and people who timely opted out. The official notice and agreement controlled eligibility.What Benefits Were Available to Refunded Passengers?
A qualifying class member who had already received a full ticket refund could historically choose a $10 cash payment or a $45 Turkish Airlines travel voucher. Those were alternatives, not two benefits paid together. The travel voucher carried the restrictions described in the settlement materials. A person who did not submit a timely claim could not later choose between cash and a voucher merely by locating the old website.What Relief Applied to Passengers Still Owed a Refund?
A qualifying class member who had not received a full refund could seek the remaining ticket refund plus an additional payment equal to 1% of the ticket price under the settlement terms. This relief was different from the capped $1 million pool used for the smaller cash or voucher benefits. Whether a person remained owed money depended on the ticket record, prior refund, chargeback, voucher or rebooking history, and the administrator’s validation.What Information Did a Historical Claim Require?
The claim process required information identifying the affected reservation, such as a ticket number or reservation number, along with the ticket price and other requested details. That information allowed the administrator to compare the submission with airline records and determine which benefit category applied. A generic account of a canceled trip was not a substitute for a timely settlement claim, and new travel disputes occurring after the class period are outside this case.What Happened at Final Approval?
The court held the final fairness hearing on August 24, 2023 and approved the settlement. The written final order was entered on August 25, and the court extended the exclusion deadline to September 15, 2023. Final approval resolved the settlement’s fairness and class treatment; it was not itself proof that a particular claimant’s ticket record had been approved or that a refund or voucher had already been delivered.When Did Benefits Begin?
Settlement administration moved into payment and voucher distribution in November 2023. Because the public site does not provide a newer comprehensive completion notice, this page does not claim that every approved refund, cash payment, or voucher was received on the same day. Someone who timely filed and has a benefit-specific issue should use the official settlement site and retain the original claim confirmation, ticket record, and administrator correspondence.Can a Passenger File Now?
No. The claim, objection, exclusion, and approval periods ended in 2023. A current Turkish Airlines cancellation or refund dispute is not covered merely because it resembles the allegations in this case. Passengers with newer travel problems must use the rights and complaint processes applicable to their own itinerary. OpenClassActions cannot register a late class claim or convert a current airline complaint into a settlement benefit.Why the Settlement Did Not Admit Liability
The parties chose a negotiated resolution after litigation and mediation. Turkish Airlines did not admit that its refund practices breached the contract, and the court did not decide the underlying allegations at trial. The settlement instead created defined benefits for people who satisfied the class and claim requirements, while releasing the covered claims of class members who did not exclude themselves.Official Information
Review the latest information on the official Turkish Airlines settlement website website.
Case
Sholopa et al. v. Turk Hava Yollari A.O.
Case Number
1:20-cv-03294-ALC
Court
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Flight Period
March 1, 2020–December 31, 2021
Claim Deadline
August 18, 2023
Final Approval
August 25, 2023
Benefits
$10 cash, $45 voucher, or qualifying refund relief
Official Website
official Turkish Airlines settlement website
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