United Airlines, Delta claim paying for a ‘window seat’ doesn’t guarantee a window

Passengers have filed class action lawsuits against United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, claiming they were misled into paying extra for “window seats” that did not have a window view. Plaintiffs Aviva Copaken and Marc Brenman sued United, while Nicholas Meyer sued Delta, alleging violations of consumer laws. The airlines responded by arguing that a “window seat” simply denotes a seat’s position against the aircraft wall, not a guarantee of an exterior view.

Copaken claims she paid up to $169.99 for a window seat on a United flight, only to be seated next to a wall. Plaintiffs argue that passengers reasonably expect a view when paying extra for a window seat, especially those seeking comfort due to anxiety or claustrophobia, and that airlines fail to disclose that some aircraft models, like Boeing 737s and A320s, have rows without windows.

The lawsuits seek damages, fees, costs, and a court order requiring the airlines to change their practices. The plaintiffs are suing for breach of contract, breach of implied contract, and promissory estoppel, citing that other airlines, like American and Alaska, already disclose when window seats lack a view. A trial date is currently set for June 7, 2027.

(Source：Class Action Lawsuits)