Korean Air Lines (KAL) was hit with a $300 million fine for price fixing on passenger flights by the U.S. Justice Department and faces a class action lawsuit by American consumers seeking damages, according to reports yesterday. The Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman Sobol and Shapiro (HBSS) filed a class action lawsuit with the Seattle Federal District Court against KAL on August 8, 2007 on behalf of passengers claiming the airline illegally conspired with competitors to fix pricing for passenger and cargo flights.

The named plaintiff, James Van Horn, filed the suit on behalf of himself and all others who purchased a ticket on Korean Air from January 1, 2000 until at least July 16, 2006, said HBBS.

HBSS managing partner Steve Berman said that the Korean Air’s collusive activities could have affected numerous passengers in both Korea and the U.S., and that HBSS wants those customers to be rightfully reimbursed.

KAL conceded that the airline company is facing a class action suit brought by American consumers and hinted that it will seek a legal response.