Reinbold v. Alaska Airlines, Inc.

NOT FOR PUBLICATION FILED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS MAY 20 2026 MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT LORA REINBOLD, No. 25-901 D.C. No. Plaintiff - Appellant, 3:23-cv-00087-MMS v. MEMORANDUM* ALASKA AIRLINES, INC.; et al., Defendants - Appellees.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Alaska Matthew M. Scoble, Magistrate Judge, Presiding Argued and Submitted April 22, 2026 San Francisco, California Before: SCHROEDER, CHRISTEN, and FORREST, Circuit Judges.

Plaintiff-Appellant Lora Reinbold sued Alaska Airlines and several of its employees for enforcing state and federal COVID-19 mask mandates, refusing to exempt her from masking, and banning her from flying with the airline for one year for not complying with its masking requirements. Reinbold now appeals the district court’s denial of her “Objections to Order,” which we construe as a motion for reconsideration. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

We review a district court’s denial of a motion for reconsideration for abuse of discretion and any underlying legal conclusions de novo. Novalpina Cap.

Partners I GP v. Read, 149 F.4th 1092, 1100 (9th Cir. 2025).

1. Dismissal for Failure to State a Claim. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) requires dismissal of a complaint “unless it ‘contain[s] sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’”

Karasek v. Regents of Univ. of Cal., 956 F.3d 1093, 1104 (9th Cir. 2020) (alteration in original) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)). We accept as true a plaintiff’s well-pleaded factual allegations and construe all reasonable factual inferences in her favor. Id. Reinbold’s primary argument is that the district court erred in dismissing her claim brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because it incorrectly determined that Alaska Airlines is not a state actor. We disagree.

Section 1983 provides a private cause of action “for deprivations of rights under the Constitution and laws of the United States when the deprivation takes place under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory.” Caviness v. Horizon Cmty. Learning Ctr., Inc., 590 F.3d 806, 812 (9th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted). “[T]o recover under § 1983 . . . , a plaintiff must show ‘that the conduct allegedly causing the deprivation of a federal right [is] fairly

Reinbold has not alleged facts that plausibly establish Alaska Airlines was operating as a state actor in enforcing government-imposed COVID-19 mask mandates. Reinbold argues that Alaska Airlines and its employees acted under color of law by “aggressively enforcing” state and federal mask mandates at “state-owned airport facilities” and by “coordinating with state officials.” But “[e]ven extensive regulation by the government does not transform the actions of the regulated entity into those of the government.” S.F. Arts & Athletics, Inc. v. U.S. Olympic Comm., 483 U.S. 522, 544 (1987). Neither the airline nor its employees become state actors simply by virtue of enforcing government regulations. See, e.g., Single Moms, Inc. v. Mont. Power Co., 331 F.3d 743, 748 (9th Cir. 2003) (“That a private entity is regulated by government does not transform that private entity’s conduct into state action.”). Nor is the airline transformed into a state actor by operating on state property, see Pasadena Republican Club v. W. Just. Ctr., 985 F.3d 1161, 1172 (9th Cir. 2021), or benefitting from the assistance of state law enforcement, Collins v. Womancare, 878 F.2d 1145, 1154–55 (9th Cir. 1989); Meadows v. United Servs.,

The district court denied Reinbold leave to amend her Second Amended Complaint because the amendment would result in undue delay, she had repeatedly failed to observe local rules, the amendment would prejudice Alaska Airlines, and further amendment would be futile as her proposed Third Amended Complaint both attempted to relitigate claims dismissed with prejudice and failed to state a claim.

Reinbold challenges each ground.

First, Reinbold suggests that her Third Amended Complaint was not unduly delayed because it represents “her first meaningful opportunity to amend her complaint.” She also requests leniency because she is self-represented. Pro se litigants are “entitled to notice of the complaint’s deficiencies and an opportunity to amend prior to dismissal,” Lucas v. Dep’t of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam). And here, the district court twice notified Reinbold of her pleading deficiencies and allowed her to correct them, which she failed to do.

Second, Reinbold asserts that she made “diligent efforts to comply with court requirements,” attempted to correct identified deficiencies, and lacked sufficient time to remedy her Second Amended Complaint. But Reinbold’s Third Amended Complaint failed to adhere to local rules requiring a redlined copy of proposed amendments and prohibiting incorporation by reference. Reinbold’s assertions do not explain these deficiencies.

Third, Reinbold argues that the district court prejudiced her because her proposed Third Amended Complaint “contained substantial new evidence, . . . including evidence establishing Alaska Airlines’ role as a state actor.” In considering whether to grant leave to amend, the court’s concern is about prejudice to the defendant. See Chappel, 232 F.3d at 725–26. Reinbold does not explain why

Finally, Reinbold asserts that allowing her to file her Third Amended Complaint would not be futile as she advanced additional arguments about the state- action doctrine. “Leave to amend need not be given if a complaint, as amended, is subject to dismissal.” Moore v. Kayport Package Express, Inc., 885 F.2d 531, 538 (9th Cir. 1989). As explained above, Reinbold’s state-action claim fails as a matter of law. For these reasons, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Reinbold leave to file a Third Amended Complaint.

AFFIRMED.