Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are facing class-action lawsuits after passengers paid a premium for "window seats" that, in reality, offered only a blank cabin wall instead of a view.

These lawsuits, filed against United Airlines in San Francisco federal court and Delta Air Lines in Brooklyn, New York federal court, seek millions of USD in compensation for over one million passengers from each airline.

United Airlines' lawyers filed a motion on 10/11 to dismiss the class-action suit. The airline argues that a "window seat" simply signifies a "seat next to the wall" of the aircraft, not necessarily one with an external view.

According to the lawyers, using the term "window" to describe a specific seat cannot be interpreted as guaranteeing an outside view. Instead, the term defines the seat's location: adjacent to the fuselage wall.

The lawyers also noted that United's contract of carriage does not explicitly guarantee an outside view for "window seats."

A window seat without a window on a Delta Air Lines plane. Photo: X

Boeing 737 aircraft, which comprise over 50% of United's fleet, have at least one row with missing windows due to the placement of internal components such as air ducts or electrical wiring. This issue can also occur on Airbus A320 and Boeing 757 aircraft.

The complaint highlights that some airlines, including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Ryanair, inform customers during booking if their "window seat" actually has a window. United and Delta, however, reportedly provide no such warnings.

Aviva Copaken, a plaintiff against United, stated she paid up to 169,99 USD for a window seat but upon boarding, only saw the cabin wall. She reported that the airline refunded fees for windowless seats on two flights but not on a third.

Carter Greenbaum, representing the plaintiffs, told media that United's argument "goes against the reasonable expectations of countless passengers who unknowingly paid extra for seats without windows." He added that consumers deserve better than United's "empty promises and word games."

An amended complaint on 15/10 detailed that most passengers choose to pay extra for window seats for a more comfortable experience, often due to fear of flying, stress, claustrophobia, or motion sickness. "If they knew they were buying a seat without a window, they would not choose it, let alone pay extra," the complaint stated.

Passengers are suing the airlines for breach of contract and misrepresentation.

The trial is scheduled for 7/6/2027.