A pair of proposed federal class-action lawsuits allege that Delta Air Lines and United Airlines sold “window” seats that lacked actual windows, seeking compensation for passengers who paid premiums for those seats.
At a Glance
- Two separate class actions were filed on August 19, 2025—one in Brooklyn (Delta) and one in San Francisco (United)—claimed to affect over one million passengers per airline
- The seats in question, found on select Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321 aircraft, are alongside blank walls due to internal components such as air-conditioning ducts or electrical conduits
- Plaintiffs assert that neither airline disclosed that these “window” seats had no windows during booking, whereas other carriers like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines reportedly do
- Individual complaints cite instances where passengers paid between $30 and over $100 extra for these seats; refunds varied and were sometimes described as inadequate
- The lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages, along with court orders requiring clear seat labeling in future bookings
Background and Legal Allegations
Seat Design and Passenger Perceptions
Aircraft design places certain seats adjacent to internal aircraft systems—such as air-conditioning risers and wiring conduits—instead of windows. Despite this, the lawsuits argue that Delta and United marketed these spots as standard “window seats” and charged corresponding premiums.
Watch now: Delta Air Lines sued over windowless ‘window’ seats · YouTube
Booking Process and Transparency Issues
In the complaints, the plaintiffs note competitors actively disclose when a seat lacks a window, thereby informing passenger choice. The absence of such disclosures by Delta and United is central to the claims of misrepresentation.
Passenger Experiences and Refund Outcomes
- Nicholas Meyer (Delta case): Selected seat 23F and learned in-flight that it had no window. Booking for this seat incurred extra fees
- Aviva Copaken (United case): Paid between $45.99 and $169.99 across three flights for window seats; received refunds for two but not the third
- Marc Brenman (United case): Selected a window seat using points; received 7,500 miles as compensation, which his attorneys deem insufficient
Legal Remedies Sought
Both lawsuits—Meyer v. Delta Air Lines Inc. (E.D.N.Y.) and Brenman et al. v. United Airlines Inc. (N.D. Cal.)—seek both restitution and policy changes, including the installation of clear disclosures for windowless seats going forward.
Broader Implications
These cases centre on whether airlines must explicitly disclose structural limitations affecting seat features during the purchase process. They highlight ancillary revenue practices and raise questions about consumer expectations and transparency. The outcomes could influence future regulation and industry standards for seat selection disclosures.
Sources
