Legal action taken against Delta and United Airlines highlights transparency issues in seat bookings, seeking refunds for affected customers.
Airlines Face Lawsuits Over Windowless 'Window Seats'
Airlines Face Lawsuits Over Windowless 'Window Seats'
Passengers allege deceptive practices in extra charges for window seats lacking views.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are currently facing lawsuits from passengers who claim they have been charged premium prices for 'window seats' that do not actually provide a view, as they are positioned next to a blank wall. These legal actions, lodged separately, represent millions of customers who purchased these seats under misleading conditions.
The lawsuits assert that both airlines fail to prominently inform potential passengers that certain window seats lack actual windows, despite the additional fees charged for them. United Airlines has refrained from commenting due to the ongoing litigation, while Delta has also not provided any statement at this time.
Both complaints have notably been prepared by the legal firm Greenbaum Olbrantz, and they highlight specific airline models, including Boeing and Airbus aircraft, where certain seats omit windows as a result of air conditioning ducts and other aircraft components. According to court documents, passengers expressed that their choice of window seat is often driven by various factors, including mitigating flight anxiety, managing motion sickness, or simply enjoying the view outside.
It is alleged that had occupants been made fully aware of the lack of windows, many would have opted out of paying extra for these specific seats. The complaints indicate a widespread practice among both airlines, characterizing each seat on the plane's sides as a "window seat," even when this designation is misleading in reality.
On average, selections for window seats carry higher fees in comparison to standard seating options. Legal representatives have denounced this conduct as "deceptive" and "unlawful." Notably, other airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have adopted a practice of clarity, properly indicating during the booking process when specific seats do not offer a window view.
