In August 2025, two nearly identical lawsuits were filed: one against United (in San Francisco federal court) and one against Delta Air Lines (in Brooklyn federal court). They claim that each airline sold more than one million “window seats” on aircraft such as the Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321, many of which are next to blank fuselage walls rather than windows.

Passengers say they paid seat-selection fees (commonly $30 to $100+) expecting a view, sunlight, or the comfort of a genuine window seat — and say they would not have booked or paid extra had they known the seat lacked a window.

As reported by Reuters, United’s filing argues that it never promised a view when it used the label “window” for a seat. According to the airline, “window” refers only to the seat’s location next to the aircraft wall, not a guarantee of an exterior view.

  • Plurrbear@lemmy.world
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    16 hours ago

    Wouldn’t that be the definition of, “Bait and switch”??? Which is already illegal?

    You PAY EXTRA for a WINDOW SEAT and there’s no window?! Why would someone pay more then? What would be the point of paying more if there’s no “window” seems very cut and dry! That’s like paying extra for an aisle seat and get a middle seat, that’s NEVER in question, they are just trying to get people’s money! Savages!

    This just proves don’t fly United nor Delta… which they are already super high priced anyways…

    • ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml
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      2 hours ago

      If you don’t live in USA then I think yes that would be true, but in USA I’d imagine you’re out of luck since I don’t think USA is known for having the strongest consumer protections possible.

    • ayyy@sh.itjust.works
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      14 hours ago

      The main reason I like window seats isn’t because of the window, it’s because I can fall into deep sleep and nobody will wake me up because they need to get out and pee.

    • JackbyDev@programming.dev
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      15 hours ago

      Well, yeah, that’s what the controversy is. They’re saying “window seat” implies sitting in the opposite of the aisle, not necessarily having a window. (Which is BS. People take it to mean window.) So they’re saying it’s not a bait and switch.