Judge Lets United Window-Seat Lawsuit Proceed Over Seats With 0 Windows
Updated
Updated · Fox Business · Jul 8
Judge Lets United Window-Seat Lawsuit Proceed Over Seats With 0 Windows
3 articles · Updated · Fox Business · Jul 8
Summary
A federal judge refused to dismiss a proposed class action accusing United of charging extra for "window seats" that were next to cabin walls, allowing the case to proceed in federal court.
Judge James Donato said plaintiffs plausibly alleged breach of contract because United’s reservation screens and boarding passes represented they had purchased seats with windows.
United argued "window seat" describes location relative to the aisle, not a guarantee of an actual window, and said federal law preempts the claims; Donato rejected those arguments at this stage.
The suit targets seats on some Boeing 737s, 757s and Airbus A321s and seeks a nationwide class of passengers who paid premiums for views or relief from anxiety, claustrophobia or motion sickness.
United declined to comment on the litigation but said it added more seat-selection detail in 2025 to give customers more information about what to expect.