Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are facing lawsuits from passengers who claim they were charged extra for “window seats” that had no windows.
The class-action suits, filed separately by law firm Greenbaum Olbrantz, seek millions of dollars in damages on behalf of more than a million customers for each airline.
According to the complaints, both airlines routinely market and charge premiums for window seats without disclosing that some seats are positioned against a blank wall due to aircraft design features such as air conditioning ducts and wiring.
Passengers argue the airlines’ booking systems misrepresent these seats as window seats, unlike rivals such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, which flag windowless rows in advance.
“People pay for window seats for reasons ranging from overcoming fear of flying to entertaining children or simply enjoying the view,” the suits say. “Many would not have chosen these seats or paid extra had they known there was no window.”
Both airlines list all side seats as “window seats,” even when none is present. Lawyers described the practice as “deceptive” and “unlawful.”
United declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Delta has yet to respond to media inquiries.
