Passengers from both coasts have filed class-action lawsuits against Delta and United Airlines over their policies of charging extra for window seats that are not actually adjacent to windows, instead offering a view of a blank aircraft wall. According to the plaintiffs, Delta Airlines informed the plaintiff and class members that the particular seats they chose had a ‘window’; even though Delta knew full well they did not. The lawsuit accuses the airline of false advertising and deceptive business practices.
Half of Delta’s fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft comprises Boeing 737s, Boeing 757s, and Airbus A321s, all of which have at least one wall-adjacent seat with no window, the plaintiffs allege. These seats are situated where vertical air conditioning riser ducts are located, making it impossible to install a window in that location. Competing airline Alaska Airlines explains on its website that these seats are not advertised as having windows, but Delta and United Airlines claim to offer these seats as a ‘window seat’ option on their seat maps during checkout. The plaintiffs argue that this misrepresentation deceives passengers into paying higher fares for seats that do not provide the expected window view.
The lawsuits seek to hold Delta and United Airlines accountable for misleading customers and violating consumer protection laws. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcomes of these cases could have significant implications for airline pricing practices and consumer rights. Airlines may be forced to change their seat designations and charging policies to align with transparency and fairness standards. If successful, the lawsuits could lead to a broader industry review of how airlines market their seating options, potentially affecting how other carriers sell their seats in the future.