TAMPA, Fla. (NewsNation) – A federal judge has ruled that United Airlines must continue defending itself against a lawsuit alleging the carrier charged travelers extra for window seats that, in some cases, had no window.
U.S. District Judge James Donato on Monday rejected United’s claim that the term “window” seat simply describes a seat positioned along the cabin wall, rather than a seat beside an actual window.
The proposed class action, filed in August 2025, was brought by passengers who say they paid an added fee for window seats but ended up next to a solid wall on certain Boeing 737, Boeing 757 and Airbus A321 aircraft.
On some aircraft, windows are replaced by wall panels to make room for components such as air-conditioning ducts, Reuters reported. The plaintiffs argue United failed to clearly disclose during booking that some seats labeled as window seats did not actually include windows.
“When consumers choose to book an airplane seat adjacent to the wall, they expect it to have a window,” the lawsuit says. “Indeed, during the seat selection process on its mobile app, United affirmatively describes every wall-adjacent seat as having a ‘window’ — including the windowless seats.”
Donato also dismissed United’s argument that federal law preempts the passengers’ claims. He found that travelers who pay for a window seat are “expressly” promised one through United’s ticketing terms, boarding passes and reservation screens, allowing the breach-of-contract claims to proceed.
According to the lawsuit, passengers may choose and pay more for window seats for several reasons, including the view, relief from anxiety or motion sickness, entertainment for children, or access to natural light during the flight.
“Whatever the motivation,” the lawsuit states, “had Plaintiffs and the class members known that the seats they were purchasing was windowless, they would not have selected them—much less have paid extra.”
According to the lawsuit, a window seat costs over $50 on United domestic routes, and the fee can exceed $100 on international routes. First-class passengers are also charged a premium fee for window seats.
When asked about its “window” seating options, a spokesperson for United told Nexstar that the company would not be commenting on the lawsuit, but confirmed that United had updated its seat selection process last year.
“As part of our regular review of united.com and the United App to enhance the customer experience, in 2025 we added more detail to our seat selection process, so customers can have more information about what to expect when they choose a seat,” reads a statement shared with Nexstar.
A similar lawsuit against Delta Air Lines was filed at the same time and remains pending in federal court in New York, where the airline seeks dismissal.
Both lawsuits seek millions of dollars in damages on behalf of more than 1 million passengers per airline.
