Every dollar amount and date on this page is quoted from the official settlement document.
Southwest Airlines $18.5M Military Leave Settlement
Court case: Huntsman v. Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines settled a class action for $18.5 million over claims it failed to properly pay employees for short-term military leave. The case covered current and former employees who took military leave of 14 days or fewer between October 10, 2004 and January 1, 2026, while covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Payment was automatic, so no claim form was required for most class members, and the case is now closed.
Official eligibility wordingCurrent or former Southwest Airlines employees who took short-term military leave (14 days or fewer) between October 10, 2004 and January 1, 2026, while subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Checked against the official settlement source by SettleSignal on June 19, 2026.
Key facts
- Who may qualify Covered were current and former Southwest Airlines employees who took short-term military leave (14 days or fewer) between October 10, 2004 and January 1, 2026, while subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
- Estimated payout$18.5 million total settlement for approximately 6,733 class members; individual payouts vary based on leave duration and wage calculations; half as W-2 wages with withholdings, half as 1099 nonwage compensation.
- Claim deadlineApril 28, 2026 (closed)
- Objection deadlineApril 28, 2026 (passed)
- Proof requiredNo
- What you needPayment was automatic for eligible class members; the objection deadline closed April 28, 2026, and the case is no longer open to new claims.
- CourtU.S. District Court, Northern District of California
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How we verified this record
- Claim deadline
- Payout details
- Eligibility
- Proof requirement
- Administrator
- Court case
- Payment status
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1 official source linked to this record.
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Claim deadline
April 28, 2026
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Eligibility summary Quoted in the official eligibility wording above ↑
U.S. servicemembers during part of their employment with Southwest Airlines who took short-term military leave (14 days or fewer) between October 10, 2004 and January 1, 2026, while subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
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Proof requirement
No
You should only submit a claim form if your notice instructed you to do so. If you were not provided a claim form in your notice packet, you do not need to submit one.
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Payment status
Final approval pending
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Estimated payout
$18.5 million total settlement for approximately 6,733 class members; individual payouts vary based on leave duration and wage calculations; half as W-2 wages with withholdings, half as 1099 nonwage compensation.
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Administrator
ILYM Group, Inc.
Case No. 19-cv-00083-JSC (N.D. Cal.) involves a class action settlement administered by ILYM Group, Inc.
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Objection deadline
April 28, 2026
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Automatic refund
Yes — automatic, no claim needed
You should only submit a claim form if your notice instructed you to do so. If you were not provided a claim form in your notice packet, you do not need to submit one.
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Court
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Case No. 19-cv-00083-JSC (N.D. Cal.) involves a class action settlement administered by ILYM Group, Inc.
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Court case number
19-cv-00083-JSC
Case No. 19-cv-00083-JSC (N.D. Cal.) involves a class action settlement administered by ILYM Group, Inc.
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Case name
Huntsman v. Southwest Airlines Co.
Where to act
No claim form is needed — ILYM Group, Inc. issues this refund automatically; confirm your eligibility and contact details on the official source.
No claim needed — payment is automatic
If you qualify, the settlement pays you automatically. There's nothing to file — just keep an eye on your mail or account around the payment date.
