Class Action Lawsuits Filed Against United and Delta Airlines for Selling Windowless “Window” Seats

Two separate class action lawsuits have been filed against United and Delta Airlines on August 19, accusing the carriers of selling window seats without actual windows. The complaints were filed in the Northern District of California and Eastern District of New York by the law firm Greenbaum Olbrantz LLP (GO Law).

The lead attorney for the case, Carter Greenbaum, stated that customers who purchase window seats on United and Delta expect to have a window next to them. However, for years, the airlines have been selling seats that they describe as “windows,” only to disappoint customers with a blank wall.

Greenbaum also pointed out that other airlines disclose to customers that a seat next to a wall has no window view, but United and Delta continue to charge extra for these seats without informing customers of the lack of a window.

The complaint against United states that their Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 models have at least one seat without a window due to air conditioning ducts, electrical conduits, or other interior components. As these aircrafts are operated multiple times a day, the complaint alleges that United has likely sold over a million windowless “window” seats.

The lawsuit includes a screenshot from the United mobile app, where seat 11A is described as having a window, but a photo from the plane shows otherwise.

The complaint highlights the importance of windows on flights, stating that they can provide a special experience for passengers, especially for children, and can also provide comfort for those with a fear of flying or motion sickness. The lawsuit claims that customers would not have chosen these windowless seats or paid extra if they had known about the lack of a window.

While the experience of sitting in a windowless “window” seat is not new, the attorney states that there is a newfound momentum to take action. The lawsuit has received a lot of interest from customers who are frustrated with paying extra for a seat that does not have a window.

The lawsuit is encouraging California residents who have paid extra for windowless “window” seats on United flights within the last four years to sign up for more information. United Airlines did not have a statement to share prior to the filing, and Delta Airlines has not yet responded to requests for comment.