A New Jersey man has filed a lawsuit against Continental Airlines because of its "cashless cabin" policy.

Michael W. Rosen of Ridgewood, N.J., claims he was improperly deprived last year of in-flight entertainment and cocktails on a 10-hour flight from Hawaii to Newark when he didn't have a credit or debit card with him and the carrier refused to take cash. Rosen accuses Continental of breach of contract, false advertising, violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and "unlawful discrimination against individuals who do not physically possess a debit or credit card." He seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory damages, punitive damages and damages for mental anguish and emotional distress and indicated he may seek class-action status.

"His perception is that it's a consumer rights issue for people who are subject to airplane regulations and airplane rules," Rosen's lawyer Nathan Kittner said. "He had a credit card in his luggage but his luggage was checked."

The airline maintains that its in-flight service operated "within the guidelines provided by federal law regulating rates, routes and services," and that "there is no law mandating that a private business must accept currency."

—Source: NorthJersey.com