Judge rules United Airlines must face lawsuit over 'windowless' window seats

United Airlines must face a lawsuit filed by passengers who say they paid extra for window seats that had no actual windows.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco rejected the airline's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed.

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The airline offered a defense that "window" referred to the location of a seat relative to the cabin wall and aisle, and that the carrier never contractually promised that seats in the window position would have views outside, Reuters reported. 

Donato rejected United's argument that federal law blocked the passengers' claims, saying the airline's own ticketing terms, boarding passes and reservation screens promised window seats to customers who paid for them.

"No more is needed at this stage for the breach claims to go forward," the judge said.

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United and Delta Air Lines both face class-action lawsuits after passengers said they found themselves seated next to walls on Boeing 737, Boeing 757 and Airbus A321 planes.

In a statement to FOX Business, United declined to comment on the lawsuit itself but noted that in 2025 it "added more detail to our seat selection process, so customers can have more information about what to expect when they choose a seat." 

Delta, which is seeking to dismiss its lawsuit in the Brooklyn, New York, federal court, said it does not comment on pending litigation.

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Passengers typically buy window seats to address a fear of flying and motion sickness, keep children occupied, get more light or take in the view, according to the lawsuit. Both lawsuits seek millions of dollars in damages for more than 1 million passengers per carrier.