{"argument_date":"2013-12-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-12-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","paragraphs":["Paul Clement argued the Ninth Circuit erred on two points. He said frequent flyer benefits relate to prices, routes, and services.","Clement stated the Airline Deregulation Act leaves airline decisions to business judgment. He argued this limits state-law interference.","Justice Kagan questioned the logic of leaving ticket decisions to the airline. She noted uncertainty about whether a passenger would accept such terms.","Justice Kennedy asked if federal common law or DOT oversight offers relief. He sought alternatives to state law or no relief."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 51-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-39"}]}],"caption":"Northwest, Inc. v. Ginsberg","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.220391Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.223259Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Airlines argue federal law preempts state claims for frequent flyer benefits. Passengers argue state law provides needed relief.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-12-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-462.html","primary_docket":"12-462","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:14:58.570193Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests whether federal law blocks state-law claims for frequent flyer benefits. Airlines say federal law preempts these claims. Passengers say state law provides needed relief."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2013."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 51-4"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Northwest wants the Court to affirm the preemption rule. It wants to dismiss the state-law claim for frequent flyer benefits.","Ginsberg wants the Court to reject the preemption argument. It wants to allow the state-law claim for frequent flyer benefits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Northwest argues the Airline Deregulation Act preempts state claims. It says these claims relate to airline prices, routes, and services.","Ginsberg argues the Airline Deregulation Act does not preempt state claims. It says the airline contract lacks valid consideration under state law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if an unreviewable termination right makes a contract illusory. She questioned what kind of bargain that creates.","Justice Sotomayor asked if absolute discretion has a limit of reasonableness. She noted a contract without substance lacks validity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 51-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-39"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of federal preemption in airline contracts. It determines whether passengers can sue under state law for frequent flyer benefits. It shapes the balance between federal regulation and state consumer protection."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 35-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 51-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-39"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-462-northwest-inc-v-ginsberg","term":"2013","title":"Does the Airline Deregulation Act block state-law claims for frequent flyer benefits?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 45-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 45-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-462_j86m.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 15-49"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}