FORT WORTH, TX — Plaintiffs and class representatives in the landmark religious liberty/reasonable accommodation lawsuit, Sambrano v. United Airlines, announce a legal victory as the U.S. Supreme Court denied United Airlines’ petition for a writ of certiorari. The high court's decision reinforces a sweeping Fifth Circuit appellate ruling certifying the class of airline employees placed on indefinite, unpaid leave for requesting religious accommodations in lieu of the company's August 6, 2021, COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued on October 5, 2026, rejects United’s attempt to dismantle the class action structure, leaving intact the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit March 9, 2026, decision, which affirmed U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman’s initial class order/definition. In March, the appellate court ruled the affected pilots, flight attendants, and gate agents may collectively pursue accountability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial affirms this ruling. As Such United Airlines has exhausted all paths to block the class action lawsuit.
The multi-year litigation now returns to the Northern District of Texas, Hon. Judge Pittman’s court to proceed in a jury trial.
Founder of the organization supporting the legal case, Airline Employees 4 Health Freedom , Captain Laura Cox states:
This monumental victory for religious liberty and Title VII employee rights cleared the final procedural hurdle, ensuring the class members’ voices will be heard in a court of law. This guarantees those who stood against this tyranny will be heard by a jury of their peers. They look forward to holding United and its CEO accountable for the disruption of their lives and financial the coercion forced upon them.
Represented by Schaerr-Jaffe, LLP and S/L Law PLLC, the Class representatives will aggressively pursue full financial restitution, back pay, punitive damages, and reimbursement of all attorney fees incurred throughout this long legal battle.
