Delta, United Airlines Could Face Lawsuits Over Windowless Window Seats

Newsweek

8 hours ago

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United Airlines and Delta Air Lines could face federal class action lawsuits over allegations they sold "window seats" that lacked actual windows, according to a California law firm.
The Go Law Firm, also known as Greenbaum Olbrantz, posted on the consumer claims website Top Class Actions saying it is investigating cases in which passengers paid extra for window seats but ended up next to a solid cabin sidewall. Plaintiffs allege the practice may violate consumer protection laws and airline passenger rights, as well as constituting false advertising.
Newsweek contacted attorney Casey Olbrantz, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines for comment via email out of hours.
Why It Matters
Preferred seating fees have become a lucrative revenue stream for airlines, with costs often ranging from $15 to $100 depending on the seat's location. Window seats are among the most sought-after, offering natural light, a sense of space and aerial views.
However, because of aircraft design and configuration, some seats sold as "window seats" are positioned in places where no window exists. Passengers in such spots can find themselves staring at a blank cabin wall for the duration of the flight.
Social media posts have captured the disappointment experienced by some passengers, with some showing photos of the cabin wall where a window should be. In 2024, Newsweek covered one such viral post from a passenger who discovered their "view" was nonexistent.
A United Airlines jet takes off while a Delta Airlines plane taxis at Logan International Airport in in Boston in this file photo taken on November 21, 2022.
A United Airlines jet takes off while a Delta Airlines plane taxis at Logan International Airport in in Boston in this file photo taken on November 21, 2022.
Charles Krupa/AP
What To Know
Attorney Casey Olbrantz told NBC Bay Area the firm is likely to file the suits in the Northern District of California within the next week, and that the potential lawsuits could be certified as class actions. The law firm is specifically inviting California residents who, within the past four years, paid extra for a window seat on a United or Delta flight but did not get an actual window to consider joining.
As of Thursday, a search of federal court records showed no filings.
When Is A Window Seat Not A Window Seat?
A "windowless window seat" may appear as a window seat on an airline's seat map but has no actual window beside it. This can happen when:
The seat row falls between two windows, leaving only wall space.
Internal components, such as air conditioning ducts, joints, or wiring, occupy the area where a window would normally be.
The aircraft's configuration was altered but seating charts were not updated.
Alaska Airlines has previously explained that some Boeing 737 aircraft have one row on the left side, just forward of the wing, where vertical air-conditioning ducts run behind the wall panels. These ducts, which connect the belly-mounted air conditioners to the overhead cabin ducts, prevent the installation of a window in that spot.
After an IndiGo customer, who paid extra for a window seat, found himself facing a wall, and posted complaining about it on X, the post quickly went viral, receiving nearly a million views. This led to a flurry of comments. Many went on to share their own experiences and explained that some aircraft have these issues because of their design. Some jokingly commented that these kinds of window seats should be rebranded as the "wall seats."
What People Are Saying
Olbrantz said in an email to NBC Bay Area: "We're seeking to hold United and Delta accountable for an unfair and misleading business practice they could fix overnight."
Pradeep Muthu, an IndiGo passenger said on X (with an image showing him sitting next to a cabin wall): "I paid for a window seat da.. where is the window?"
IndiGo responded, saying: "Mr. Muthu, at IndiGo, we are continuously embracing digital solutions to make your travel experience smoother and more efficient. During busy morning hours, our team may encourage the use of digital kiosks for quicker check-in and baggage tagging, helping you breeze through the airport with ease. However, we truly value your inputs and have shared it internally. We appreciate your understanding and hope to see you onboard again soon."
What Happens Next
If filed, the suits will likely argue that charging extra for a seat marketed as a window seat—without providing the advertised feature—is misleading and warrants compensation. The firm's posting on Top Class Actions encourages eligible passengers to submit their information for review by a legal professional, who will determine whether they qualify to join the case.
For travelers hoping to avoid the problem, tools like TripAdvisor's SeatGuru.com can help identify seats without windows. On many maps, such seats are marked in red to indicate limited or no view.
While "windowless window seats" are not new, the legal action could set a precedent for how airlines label and price specific seats, especially when marketing them as premium options. For now, the question of whether the practice constitutes false advertising may soon be decided in a California federal courtroom.