🔥 Trending Qantas Echo Law Settlement: What You Need to Know

The Qantas Echo Law settlement refers to a class action lawsuit filed against Qantas Airways concerning flight credits issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit, initiated by Echo Law (and Piper Alderman), alleged that Qantas failed to offer direct refunds to customers for cancelled flights, instead providing flight credits ²⁵.

Background of the Class Action

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous flights were cancelled, leading to a large number of Qantas customers holding flight credits. The core of the class action was the claim that Qantas did not uphold its legal obligation to provide direct cash refunds, opting instead for flight credits that customers might have found difficult to use or were subject to restrictive terms ⁵. The lawsuit was brought against Qantas in August 2023 ⁶.

The Settlement Agreement

Qantas reached an agreement to settle this class action. The settlement amount is AUD $105 million ³⁴⁸. This settlement is subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia ⁶. It's important to note that as part of the settlement, Qantas has not admitted any wrongdoing ⁴.

Who is Eligible for a Payout?

Over one million potential group members are involved in this class action ¹⁸. You are considered a Group Member and are eligible to receive a settlement payment if you meet certain criteria, which are typically detailed in the official notices sent to affected customers ². Echo Law has confirmed that court-ordered notices began being communicated to eligible Qantas Group customers around June 30, 2026 ⁸. Qantas has also started contacting eligible customers directly ¹⁰.

Distribution of Funds

The AUD $105 million settlement fund is intended to compensate affected customers. An additional AUD $37 million has been reserved from the settlement to cover commissions and legal fees for the law firms involved ⁴. The exact interaction between refunds (for those who may have already received them) and this new compensation will depend on the approved settlement scheme ⁷.

Andrew Paull, a partner at Echo Law, described the Federal Court's order for the law firm to contact eligible customers as a "critical step" in distributing the settlement funds ³. The settlement is seen as a "significant financial result" that will put money directly into the hands of those impacted ⁹.

Customers who believe they are eligible for a payout are advised not to delete emails about the $105 million settlement, as these communications contain vital information regarding the process ⁴.