Delta and United face lawsuits for misleading window seat sales

In the United States, recent class-action lawsuits have been filed against Delta Air Lines and United Airlines by disgruntled passengers who claimed they were misled into purchasing window seats that did not feature actual windows. The lawsuits, initiated in federal courts in San Francisco and Brooklyn on August 19, 2025, allege that the airlines charged extra for these seats but failed to inform customers during the booking process that these seat designs resulted in no actual view. Accordingly, the complaints cite that these windowless seats belong to specific aircraft models including Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321, which were outfitted without windows due to engineering constraints such as air conditioning duct placement. Passengers argue that they were coerced into paying higher fees for these seats based on the assumption that they would have a view, a decision often made for reasons related to fear of flying or motion sickness. The lawsuits seek millions in damages from both airlines to compensate for the fees paid by passengers who expected a window view but were seated next to a blank wall. Many of these claims reference the practice of other airlines, like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, which identify such windowless seats during the booking process, putting Delta and United's practices under scrutiny. The reactions from the airlines have been muted, with both declining to comment on the ongoing litigation, signifying potential challenges for consumer trust if these lawsuits gain traction. Indeed, the suits have attracted a significant response, with more passengers expressing interest in joining the class actions as they recognize their experiences in similar situations and the alleged unfairness of the additional fees charged for these misleading configurations.