Two major US airlines are facing separate class-action lawsuits after passengers discovered they had paid premium prices for “window seats” that offered nothing but a view of the aircraft’s interior wall.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines each face legal action seeking millions in damages on behalf of over one million affected customers. The central allegation is that both carriers failed to disclose during booking that certain seats marketed as window seats actually lack windows entirely.
The Core Issue
The problem stems from aircraft design constraints on certain Boeing and Airbus planes. Air conditioning systems, electrical wiring, and other essential components sometimes require positioning that blocks window installation in what would otherwise be window seat locations.
According to court filings obtained by the BBC, neither airline alerts customers to this limitation during the seat selection process, even when charging additional fees for these supposedly premium locations.
Passenger Impact
The lawsuits highlight various reasons travelers specifically choose window seats, making the deception particularly problematic:
- Managing flight anxiety and motion sickness
- Entertaining children during flights
- Enjoying scenic views during travel
- Having a surface to rest against while sleeping
Many affected passengers stated they would never have selected or paid extra for these seats had they known about the missing windows.
Legal Arguments
The separately filed lawsuits, both handled by Greenbaum Olbrantz legal firm, characterize the airlines’ practices as both “deceptive” and “unlawful.” The complaints seek refunds of premium seat fees for all affected customers.
Court documents reveal that both Delta and United systematically label every aisle-adjacent seat as a “window seat” in their booking systems, despite internal knowledge that some lack actual windows.
Industry Comparison
The legal action gains additional weight from evidence that other major carriers handle this issue more transparently. Both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines operate similar aircraft configurations but clearly mark windowless seats during the booking process, demonstrating that proper disclosure is both feasible and practiced elsewhere in the industry.
Current Status
United Airlines has declined to provide comment, citing the ongoing litigation. Delta Air Lines has been contacted for response but has not yet issued a statement regarding the allegations.
The cases represent a significant challenge for both airlines, potentially affecting millions of customers who may have unknowingly purchased misrepresented seating over multiple years of operations.
