There is a long list of red flags that existed in this case that should have caused the airline and travel agency to do something.

In the Huffy post, it also mentions a travel agency assisted the wife.

I would assume that it falls under the jurisdiction of the customs/Homeland security personnel to determine whether or not somebody can legally leave the country.

If Japan airlines actually smuggled them on board without following protocol, then this could be a major legal battle. JAL might lose more than just money in this case. If true, then heads will roll.

"His lawyers said airlines should require parents traveling alone with a minor child to Japan to obtain legal approval..."

I feel for the guy as weel, but his lawyers are going to have a heck of a time proving the airline did anything "wrongful, " when there are no policies in place mandating that airlines do any such check as far as parental permissions are concerned.

Also, in order to present a successful argument that they helped the wife escape a California court order, the lawyer would have to be able to prove the airline was aware of her legal situation, which I doubt very sincerely they were.

And in an age of Homeland Security-mandated safety checks bogging down airports, I also don't believe any government agency or court is going to be willing to force airlines to take on the added burden of acting as police in domestic disputes.

While I feel for him.

How would the airline know as to whom and when to check. And do they have the access and/or authority to perform such checks.

I do not know specifically for child custody laws but if there is a court order for someone not to leave a country, one would assume there would be some sort of a check at the customs.

I am not exactly sure whether the airline company or the customs would be responsible but something looks to have slipped through the cracks.