Continental sues United over baggage-sizing templates at Dulles

April 24, 2000
Web posted at: 12:10 p.m. EDT (1610 GMT)

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Continental Airlines said it plans on Monday to file a federal antitrust lawsuit against United Airlines and a Dulles International Airport authority over newly installed baggage-sizing templates.

The new sizing templates, at shared X-ray security screening checkpoints, limit Continental from differentiating its service based on "friendlier" carry-on policies, the Houston-based airline said.

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Continental said its lawsuit charges Chicago-based United, the UAL Corp. unit, with conspiring with other airlines and the Airline Management Council at Dulles, a Washington-area airport in Virginia, to limit competition by requiring that all travelers conform to a single standard for carry-on luggage.

The suit also charges that baggage-sizers interfere with the purpose and intent of federally required security screening.

Continental said it competes by offering more overhead and closet space than other airlines.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Carry-on campaign aimed at helping flyers deal with restrictions
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January 11, 1999
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November 25, 1998

Continental Airlines
United Airlines
Washington Dulles International Airport

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