Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are facing class-action lawsuits filed by passengers who allege they were charged premium fees for "window" seats that lacked actual windows. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in New York and San Francisco, claim that certain seats on Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321 aircraft are marketed as window seats but are positioned next to blank walls due to internal components obstructing window placement.
The plaintiffs argue that Delta and United failed to disclose the absence of windows during the booking process, unlike competitors such as Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, which inform customers about windowless seats. For instance, Nicholas Meyer, a lead plaintiff in the Delta lawsuit, booked a window seat for a flight from New York to California, only to find himself seated next to a blank wall without prior warning.
The lawsuits seek millions of dollars in damages, representing over one million passengers per airline who paid extra for these seats. The plaintiffs contend that had they known the seats were windowless, they would not have selected or paid more for them.
Both Delta and United have declined to comment on the pending litigation. The cases highlight broader concerns about airline ancillary revenue strategies and consumer rights, emphasizing the need for transparency in seat selection and pricing.
As the legal proceedings unfold, passengers are advised to review seat configurations carefully during the booking process and to be aware of their rights regarding seat selection and associated fees.
