Delta Air Lines $78.75M Fuel Dump Class Action Settlement

Consumers who owned, resided in or rented a property located in the area affected by Delta Air Lines flight DL89’s fuel jettison on Jan. 14, 2020, may be eligible to submit a claim for a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Delta Air Lines Inc. agreed to pay $78,750,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that, due to a mechanical issue, flight DL89 needed to dump jet fuel over parts of Southern California, causing harm to property owners and residents in the affected area. The settlement class includes an estimated 160,000 residents and 38,135 property owners.

Who can file a claim for a Delta Air Lines payment?

Class members are individuals who owned property or resided in the designated class area as identified on the list of affected residences the court-appointed expert prepared:

• Owners: Individuals or entities who owned a property in the class area as of Jan. 14, 2020
• Residents: Individuals who lived in or rented a property in the class area as of Jan. 14, 2020
• If the class member is a minor younger than age 14, the minor's parent or legal guardian must submit the claim form on behalf of the minor.

If a property had multiple owners, each may be eligible to submit a claim, but the settlement administrator will divide the payment for that property or residence equally among all valid claimants.

Class members can view the class area map and perform an address lookup on the settlement website.

Who is excluded from the class?

Certain individuals and entities are excluded from the settlement class:

• Individuals who sold their property after the Jan. 14, 2020, incident without disclosing the fuel jettison to the purchaser in advance of the sale
• Anyone who filed a separate lawsuit against Delta Air Lines Inc. regarding the Jan. 14, 2020, incident

How much is the class action settlement payout?

After fees, costs, service awards and expenses, the net settlement fund is estimated to be approximately $50,590,000 and will be divided into two parts:

• Owners settlement fund pro rata cash payment: The settlement allocates 67% of the fund, about $33,895,300, to property owners. Each approved property claim will receive an equal payment. The settlement administrator will determine the final payment amount by the number of valid claims filed.
• If there is more than one owner on the title, the administrator will dive the payment for that property equally between each owner who submits a valid claim.

• Residents settlement fund pro rata cash payment: The settlement allocates 33% of the fund, about $16,694,700, to residents and renters. Each approved resident claim will receive an equal payment. Final payment amount will be determined by the number of claims filed.

According to the settlement agreement, class members who both owned and resided in a property in the class area on Jan. 14, 2020, will qualify for both an owners settlement fund payment and a residents settlement fund payment.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print, complete and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator. They must submit a claim online or postmark it by Feb. 6, 2026.

Settlement administrator’s mailing address: Delta Air Lines Settlement Administrator, PO Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132

Required proof

• All claimants older than age 14 must submit proof of identity, which may include a driver's license, state ID or passport copy.
• Parents or guardians submitting a claim for a minor younger than age 14 must provide proof of identity, which may include a driver's license, state ID or passport copy.
• Class members submitting a property owner claim must include supporting documentation showing ownership as of Jan. 14, 2020, which may include title, deed, property tax records or mortgage documents.
• Class members submitting a resident or renter claim must include supporting documentation showing residence at the property as of Jan. 14, 2020, which may include utility bills, lease agreements or bank statements.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

$78.75 million Delta Air Lines settlement fund

The $78,750,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $2,100,000
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $24,000,000
• Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $2,000,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $60,000 total
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Feb. 6, 2026
• Exclusion request deadline: Feb. 6, 2026
• Final approval hearing: May 18, 2026

When is the Delta Air Lines fuel dump settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to class members with valid claims approximately 110 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action settlement resolves claimed that Delta Air Lines flight DL89 encountered a mechanical problem that forced it to dump jet fuel over Southern California during an in-flight emergency on Jan. 14, 2020. The plaintiffs alleged the fuel jettison caused harm to property owners and residents in the affected area.

Delta denies all allegations and wrongdoing but agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainties of further litigation and a possible trial.

Sources

1. Official settlement website FAQ page
2. Official class notice
3. PDF claim form
4. Settlement agreement