Air Line Stewards and Stewardesses Association, International v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Abstract

State territory — Sovereignty over the air — Position of national aircraft outside national airspace — Whether labour relations on aircraft governed by national law — Position of foreign employees of air carrier — Doctrine of law of the flag — Applicability of — The law of the United States of America.

Jurisdiction — Personal — Over nationals abroad and their property abroad — Foreign employees of air carrier — Statute requiring collective bargaining to determine wages and working conditions — Territorial limits of — Applicability to flights wholly outside territory of State of nationality of owner — Applicability to foreign-based alien employees of domestic air carrier — Doctrine of law of the flag — Applicability of — The law of the United States of America.

Jurisdiction — On the high seas — Doctrine of law of the flag — Applicability to aircraft — Statute requiring collective bargaining to determine wages and working conditions aboard aircraft — Flights wholly outside territory of State of flag — Wages and working conditions of foreign-based alien employees — The law of the United States of America.

Jurisdiction — Territorial — Territorial limits of jurisdiction — Jurisdiction over aircraft and their personnel — Statute requiring collective bargaining to determine wages and working conditions — Applicability to flights wholly outside territory of State of nationality of owner — Applicability to foreign-based alien employees of domestic air carrier — Doctrine of law of the flag — Applicability of — The law of the United States of America.