Imagine this—you pay extra for a window seat on a long flight because you love looking out at the clouds, the sunrise, or the city lights below. You board the plane, walk to your row, sit down… and realize there is no window next to you at all. That is exactly what passengers say happened on United Airlines and Delta Air Lines flights.
Two separate lawsuits, filed in San Francisco and New York City, accuse the airlines of charging customers extra fees for what they thought would be window seats—only to place them in rows where the window is missing.
The lawsuits, filed by the Greenbaum Olbrantz law firm, argue: “A large proportion of airline travelers prefer window seats, and are willing to pay extra money to obtain them. For many, it is a special experience to see the world from 30,000 feet, or to watch a descent into LaGuardia.”
What passengers say they experienced
Travelers say the airlines presented the seats as regular “window seats,” but when they got on board, they were met with nothing but a solid wall. The disappointment is easy to understand because if you paid more, your expectations would be high.
According to the lawsuits:
- United and Delta have likely sold at least 1 million windowless seats.
- American Airlines and Alaska Airlines already notify passengers if the seat they are booking does not have a window.
- United and Delta failed to do the same, which is why passengers believe this amounts to deceptive business practices.
One lawsuit states it clearly: “When travelers book a seat on an airplane next to the wall, they expect it to have a window.”
How much do airlines charge for window seats?
This is where the frustration grows. Like most airlines, United and Delta now use what is called “basic economy” pricing. If you book the cheapest ticket, you cannot choose your seat at all. That means if you want a window seat—or even to sit with your family—you usually need to pay an additional fee.
These fees can range from $20 to over $100 depending on the flight. To pay that much extra and then find out your “window seat” has no actual window is why so many customers feel misled.
What are the lawsuits asking for?
The passengers are not only seeking financial damages, but they are also asking the courts to bar both airlines from selling these so-called “windowless window seats” in the future.
The lawsuits include:
- Requests for compensation for passengers who were misled.
- Demands for transparency moving forward, so you will know what you are paying for.
- A push for airlines to adopt the same policies as competitors like Alaska and American, which already flag windowless seats in their booking systems.
What do the airlines say about the lawsuits?
So far, United Airlines has declined to comment directly, citing its policy of not discussing ongoing litigation. Delta has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuits.
That silence has only added to passenger frustration. Many travelers feel that the airlines should at least acknowledge the issue and commit to being clearer in the future.
How you can avoid booking a window seat without a window
If you are someone who cannot imagine flying without a view, here are a few tips you can use before choosing your seat:
- Check the seat map online. Websites like SeatGuru can show you which rows do not have windows.
- Read airline seat reviews. Many travelers post their seat experiences online, which can help you avoid surprises.
- Ask at booking. Some airlines do give a disclaimer if the seat is windowless, but you may need to double-check before paying.
It might feel frustrating that you have to do this much research just to get what you already paid for, but for now, it could save you from disappointment.
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