In August 2025, two nearly identical lawsuits were filed: one against United (in San Francisco federal court) and one against Delta Air Lines (in Brooklyn federal court). They claim that each airline sold more than one million “window seats” on aircraft such as the Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321, many of which are next to blank fuselage walls rather than windows.

Passengers say they paid seat-selection fees (commonly $30 to $100+) expecting a view, sunlight, or the comfort of a genuine window seat — and say they would not have booked or paid extra had they known the seat lacked a window.

As reported by Reuters, United’s filing argues that it never promised a view when it used the label “window” for a seat. According to the airline, “window” refers only to the seat’s location next to the aircraft wall, not a guarantee of an exterior view.

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[–] 391 points 9 months ago (15 children)

If the seat doesn't include a window then it needs to be called a wall seat. This is an open and shut case of false advertising.

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  • [–] 65 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    Or at least put a monitor running Microsoft.

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  • [–] 28 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    At one point in my career, they moved us to a long white room with no windows. (The reason this particular room on this floor did not have windows was that on the wall, where the windows normally would have been were large external letters on the outside of the building spelling out the original name of the building. So of course you couldn’t have windows behind the externally mounted letters.) And their attempt at making it bearable was to put giant vinyl stickers of somewhat cartoonish window scenes along the big long outside white wall. I did not enjoy working in that space.

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    [–] 218 points 9 months ago* (6 children)

    This is so fucking dumb. It has that "boneless wings can contain bones" judgement energy from Ohio awhile back. 🤦🏻

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  • [–] 104 points 9 months ago* (7 children)

    That case does at least make some sense. All meat products can contain bone due to them being from you know animals.

    Basically they felt that encountering bones in a meat product is a normal, acceptable, and understood risk.

    Now if he was give a plate of boneless wings and each wing was full of bones that would be a different case entirely.

    This was an inadvertent bone fragment. Can happen in any meat product.

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    [–] 108 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    I remember back when the seats actually aligned with the windows on airplanes, such that you could sit in a seat and look out the window.

    Then they started shoving more rows of seats in. Over the past 20 years or so, I’ve often got a “window seat” where the nearest window is positioned directly beside the seat in front, where nobody can open or close the cover without fully reclining (ha) the seat, and there’s zero view because of the angle.

    Technically still a window seat, as there IS a window nearby, but not what you’d expect coming from any other mode or era of transport.

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  • [–] 14 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    And newer planes all have windows where the tint is controlled by the crew (so as to minimize conflict between passengers) which... I still like to look out while stretching my legs near the bathroom but pretty sure staring out a ridiculously tinted window at some clouds isn't what people think of when they hear "window seat".

    Like... I kinda agree that "window seat" doesn't actually mean you have a window these days. I would argue that they should be renamed but "wall seat" is going to just make people realize why aisle seats are the best choice... and I like my aisle seat so piss off.

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  • [–] 17 points 9 months ago

    I rode a 787 intercontinentally for the first time earlier this year and was very disappointed by the forced tint. I was really excited to see, I believe, the arctic ice cap. Nothing. Like, I get it's a long flight and apparently most people just take drugs and sleep, but damn. I would have shielded it with my jacket anyway.

    But even still, know how I deal with wanting to nod off when a 4am flight hits day break? A $6 sleep mask. I'm not affected by windows, reading lamps, the crew flicking the lights for fun, that one person typing in Word at full brightness on a red eye flight, or people using flashlights to search their bag.

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  • [–] 83 points 9 months ago (5 children)

    "War is peace"

    That's what they are trying to pull. Look it up.

    According to the airline, “window” refers only to the seat’s location next to the aircraft wall

    Then call it "wall seat"

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    [–] 73 points 9 months ago (3 children)
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    [–] 73 points 9 months ago (4 children)

    And this is why the civil court system is just plain broken. Despite the astronomical cost of taking this upsurd stance in court, it is worth it. Thier needs to be damages assesed for the absurdity of the logic used to force something to cost more court time than it should get.

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  • [–] 20 points 9 months ago

    dismiss with prejudice/disbar the lawyers that push these lawsuits at all

    course, there are plenty of rigged court systems in the US that justify their whole existence via these sham lawsuits, so...

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    [+] 63 points 9 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)
  • [–] 52 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Would a reasonable person assume that is what it meant? Probably not. United should lose this case.

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    [–] 47 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    A window seat without a window is like an isle seat that isn't on the isle.

    False advertising.

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  • [–] 46 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    The agreement was im paying 355 dolars for a window seat. If 'window seat' just refers to the location, then dolars just refers to the fact its an amount of currency, and ill have my bank adjust the payment to reflect that was in pesos.

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    [–] 41 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Reminiscent of the lawsuit about pints of beer being less than a pint. Bars argued it was a style of glass and not a unit of volume.

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  • [–] 40 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    I mean, don't charge extra for something then not deliver it. Seems cut and dry.

    If the aisle/middle/window in coach all cost the same price then no one would have any standing to sue. The airlines charged customers extra. They did this to themselves.

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    [–] 35 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Next there won't be a seat, the term "seat" just means the place you stand for the whole trip

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    [–] 33 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

    I prefer window seats specifically because they are up against a wall, and I know I have an armrest to myself. If that's where I end up, I am more likely to just close the window shade, particularly if I am jetlagged and need sleep.

    However, I had status on United for a while and throughout that whole time did not have to pay any extra fees for that "window" seat. If the airlines are up-charging for window seats, then they better have windows, otherwise they should call them something else.

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  • [–] 31 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Obstructed view discount. We have the technology.

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    [–] 28 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    Are their no small claims tribunals in the US? This refund would be over so quickly in Australia and no doubt the ACCC would be on their arse.

    We barely do anything about monopolies here these these days, but at least false advertising and right to refunds are rock solid.

    Also, those seat selection fees are crazy. International flights I've seen like $8, maybe $15 if you're getting really crazy.

    Who in the world is paying $100 to select their seat?

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  • [–] 16 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    There are small claims courts in the US.

    Its a pain in the ass and you can't get extra damages or anything like that. So the most people would be entitled to was the 30-100 bucks they overpaid for their seat. It would also require each claimant to spend hours of their life preparing and doing it.

    So instead they do class action, so it can all be on trial and anyone in the class can apply for a refund quickly if they win.

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    [–] 24 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (11 children)

    Wouldn’t that be the definition of, “Bait and switch”??? Which is already illegal?

    You PAY EXTRA for a WINDOW SEAT and there’s no window?! Why would someone pay more then? What would be the point of paying more if there’s no “window” seems very cut and dry! That’s like paying extra for an aisle seat and get a middle seat, that’s NEVER in question, they are just trying to get people’s money! Savages!

    This just proves don’t fly United nor Delta… which they are already super high priced anyways…

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    [–] 23 points 9 months ago* (3 children)

    So, basically they're trying to get us ready for these standing seats.

    The regulatory requirements to make standing airline seats possible have not been met in either Europe or North America, and they're unlikely to ever be satisfied—unless government oversight finally becomes so corrupt and useless that this concept is forced through.

    Under this administration?

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    [–] 21 points 9 months ago (4 children)

    I’ve had this happen to me and I did feel like it was kind of a rip off. They should rename the seat to wall seat and be done with it.

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    [–] 16 points 9 months ago

    It literally does. Otherwise we would call it a fuselage seat.

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  • [–] 16 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    This wouldn't be a problem if they left the seats where they were from the factory instead of squashing them all as close together as possible.

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    [+] 16 points 9 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)
    [–] 15 points 9 months ago

    Maga gutted consumer protections have consequences

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  • [–] 14 points 9 months ago

    This does seem like the worst seat option unless you really just want to sleep and even then you can get it with window and pulling the shade down. Its like obstructed view seating. Honestly even the isle on that row should be notified of the lack of a window.

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