Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are embroiled in legal trouble after passengers filed lawsuits claiming they were misled into paying for "window seats" that turned out to be devoid of windows. The two separate lawsuits, seeking millions of dollars in damages, have been launched by over a million disgruntled customers against each airline.
The plaintiffs argue that both airlines do not indicate during the booking process which seats are actually windowless, despite charging a premium for what they believe are window views. United Airlines has opted not to comment on this ongoing legal matter, while Delta has also remained silent after being approached for a statement.
The legal filings, reviewed by the BBC, claim that the problematic seats are found on certain Boeing and Airbus aircraft, where design factors such as air conditioning ducts and wiring prevent installation of windows. Passengers assert that purchasing these seats serves a variety of purposes, including alleviating fears associated with flying, managing motion sickness, or simply enjoying a view.
According to court documents, many travelers would have chosen different seating options altogether had they known they were buying a window seat that wouldn't provide a view. The lawsuits allege that both airlines unilaterally define each seat on the sides of their planes as a "window seat," even when some lack a window entirely, thereby misleading customers.
Passengers often confront additional fees to select a window seat over a standard one, leading lawyers in these cases to describe the practice as "deceptive" and "unlawful." Comparatively, other airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have recognized the problem, taking measures to disclose when a seat does not come with a window during the booking phase.
