P.M. BRIEFING : Refused Fare Break, Pair Sue
Two homosexual men filed suit against Continental Airlines because their request for a frequent-flier companion ticket was rejected when they could not produce a marriage certificate.
The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by Joseph Preis, 53, and Larry Hiller, 50, both of Atlanta.
They claim they have lived together for 32 years, have joint bank accounts and “each considers himself to be the spousal equivalent and family of the other.”
The suit contends the men wanted to take a weeklong trip to London on Dec. 1, 1989, but Continental refused to issue a free companion ticket through its One-Pass program.
Continental spokesman Dave Messing said the companion tickets “are for family members only” and that couples who live together are excluded.
The two men didn’t make the trip and are asking for at least $300,000 in damages.
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