Reclining your seat to a comfortable position, only to discover that the window you’re looking out of doesn’t actually exist. Sounds like a bad joke? Unfortunately, it’s a reality that many passengers have faced while flying on United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The issue with ‘windowless’ window seats is becoming a major point of contention, with several travelers taking to the courts in search of compensation.
The breakdown is attributed to the aircraft’s design, where the angle of the seat bank alters passenger perceptions. According to the Aviation Herald, … Airline Seat Talk points out that the inverted window seat does actually exist, albeit in small numbers
The Problem Lies in the Seat Configuration
As per the Aviation Herald, the issue with windowless window seats occurs when a specific aircraft layout is used, altering the spatial awareness of passengers seated in the designated rows. This particular seat configuration exaggerated the sense of width by extending the seat cushion.
Airline expert, Brendan Dorrian, explains that this choice of design, aimed to improve airflow, boosted costs, and put passengers’ comfort in distress
The Lawsuits Are Flying in
Airlines deal with a single hefty price tag per flight, a chicken-and-egg problem because said row means significant maintenance issues. Nevertheless, recent travelers have launched a wave of litigation against United Airlines and Delta.
United Airlines spokesperson then clarified, ” Seats along those rows have essentially no window.
Class Action Lawsuits: Passenger Rights on the Line
Since 2023, two lawsuits targeting major US airlines over the availability of ‘windowless’ window seats have been filed. In both instances law firms claim they are trying to help airline passengers recover, albeit any compensation figures disclosed remain unknown.
While Delta Air Lines states the discrepancies originate from variations in the aircrafts used on specific routes, Delta admits ” If a passenger gets the windowless seat, the airline should be transparent about this prospect in advance prio to confirming the seat
