American Airlines has issued rival Delta Air Lines with a trademark infringement lawsuit, claiming it owns the right to use the ‘Flagship’ term.
American filed the complaint the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas claiming it has used ‘Flagship’, ‘Flagship Lounge’ and ‘Flagship Suite’ product trademarks for more than 80 years.
It claims Delta ads and press releases have been used to ‘chip away’ at American Airlines’ Flagship name and since mid-2017 used the term ‘flagship’ to refer to certain aircraft.
"This confusion is only amplified because Delta is using these terms to promote its own premium air travel services—which just so happen to be the very same services in which American has used its Flagship marks for decades. This is no coincidence," the suit says.
"Some of Delta’s chief marketing strategies include persuading consumers to choose Delta over American Airlines, and attempting to persuade loyal American customers to switch their loyalty to Delta."
American Airlines is seeking a permanent injunction from using the name and damages.
