Passengers sue United Airlines after paying S$221 more for 'window seat' with no window

In August 2025, passengers sued two United States (U.S.) airlines, United and Delta, after they paid extra money for a "window seat" on the plane only to get a seat against the cabin wall.

The additional fee was thus unfairly charged, the passengers said, as reported by Reuters.

On Nov. 10, United Airlines asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, saying it never contractually promised that seats in the window position would have exterior views.

"The use of the word 'window' in reference to a particular seat cannot reasonably be interpreted as a promise that the seat will have an exterior window view," the airline's lawyers argued.

They explained that 'window' instead identifies the position of the seat — next to the wall of the main body of the aircraft.

Missing windows

The passengers who filed the lawsuit had encountered windowless "window seats" on board Boeing 737, Boeing 757, and Airbus A321 planes.

According to the New York Post, these planes have at least one row without a window because of the placement of components such as ducts or electrical conduits.

More than half of United's fleet is made up of Boeing 737s.

Not made clear during booking

Several U.S. airlines such as American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Ryanair indicate during the booking process whether their window seat has an actual window, according to the New York Post.

United and Delta, however, do not highlight this, the plaintiffs pointed out.

One of the plaintiffs suing United claimed she paid as much as US$169.99 (S$221) for a window seat, then got seated next to the wall.

"When passengers book and pay more for a window seat, they expect their seat to have a window," the lawyer representing the plaintiffs said in a statement to People. "Customers deserve more than empty promises and United’s word games."

"As airlines have begun charging for services that were once free, passengers should at least expect upfront disclosure of the fees and that if they pay an extra fee, they will get the product they paid for,” he added.

An amended complaint to the lawsuit, filed against United on Oct. 15, highlighted that for many passengers who have a fear of flying or experience anxiety, claustrophobia, or motion sickness, windows offer them comfort.

Most of these passengers would thus be willing to pay extra for a seat by the window.

Had the plaintiffs known they would be seated next to the wall, they would not have chosen such seats, much less pay extra for them, the complaint added.

Breach of contract

The lawsuit brings four counts against United, People reported.

They include the breach of contract, and promissory estoppel, the legal term for going back on a promise even without a formal contract.

In its motion to dismiss the suit, United emphasised that U.S. federal law generally prohibits passengers from pursuing breach of contract claims concerning airline fees and surcharges, including the cost for more desirable seats.

Both lawsuits against United and Delta seek millions of U.S. dollars of damages, for more than a million passengers per airline, Reuters reported.

Top images from Canva and United Airlines/X