Window seat labeling under legal challenge

Two lawsuits allege the airlines sold window seats that lack windows and did not disclose this during booking.

Delta and United sued over windowless window seats

Two lawsuits filed by the same law firm allege Delta Air Lines and United Airlines sold window seats that do not have windows and charge more for selecting them. The complaints, filed by Greenbaum Olbrantz, say seat placement on certain Boeing and Airbus aircraft places windows behind walls due to air conditioning ducts or wiring. They claim the seats are not flagged during the booking process. The suits seek refunds for passengers who paid extra for window seats they thought would offer a view.

The filings say the airlines describe every seat along the plane's sides as a window seat, even when a window does not exist. Passengers may be charged more to select such seats. The lawsuits contrast this with other carriers like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, which disclose when a seat lacks a window. BBC has seen the court documents.

If true, the cases test a core promise of air travel: accurate seating maps before purchase. A failure to disclose windowless seating could invite regulatory scrutiny and shift industry expectations. The outcome may reshape how airlines label seats and price them for transparency.

Beyond the specifics, the lawsuits touch a broader trend toward clearer consumer disclosures in travel. If courts side with the plaintiffs, airlines could face demands for refunds and more stringent rules about how seating information is shown at booking, affecting margins and customer trust.

Highlights

Regulators may weigh in on how seats are described in the booking flow.