Paying for ‘window’ seats doesn’t guarantee a window, United Airlines argues in class-action lawsuit

United, along with Delta Air Lines, were sued in August in two separate but similar suits by passengers, who accused them of charging extra for certain window seats without making it clear that some of those seats did not actually have a window.

United responded last week with a motion asking the court to throw out the case.

In its filing, the airline argued that it never contractually promise that seats it labeled "window" on seat selection screens or boarding passes would have exterior views.

"The word 'window' identifies the position of the seat—i.e., next to the wall of the main body of the aircraft," United said, as quoted by the New York Post. "The use of the word 'window' in reference to a particular seat cannot reasonably be interpreted as a promise that the seat will have an exterior window view."

United also argued that courts have consistently found that federal law generally prevents passengers from pursuing breach of contract claims related to airline fees or surcharges, including charges for preferred seating.

A United Airlines Boeing 777-222(ER) takes off from Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 27, 2025. Photo by NurPhoto via AFP

Boeing 737 aircraft, which account for more than half of United’s fleet, include at least one row without a window because of the placement of ducts, electrical conduits or other internal components. Missing windows can also be found on Airbus A320 and Boeing 757 models, Business Insider reported.

The class-action suits claim that other airlines like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Ryanair alert travelers about these seats during the booking process, but United and Delta do not.

In the case against United, one plaintiff said she paid up to US$169.99 for what was sold as a window seat but ended up seated beside a blank cabin wall instead of an actual window.

Carter Greenbaum, who represents the passengers suing United and Delta, told Reuters that the airline’s stance runs "contrary to the reasonable expectations of countless passengers who unknowingly paid extra money for windowless window seats."

He added: "Consumers deserve better than empty promises and United's word games."

The complaints seek millions in damages on behalf of more than 1 million passengers per airline. A proposed trial date has been scheduled for June 7, 2027.