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They paid extra for the window seat, but the window is not there: multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit is triggered

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They paid extra for window seat, but the window seat isn't there: multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit triggered

In Europe, the infamous 11A seat (which even has a profile on X with several hundred [...]

They paid extra for the window seat, but the window is not there: multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit is triggered
by Matteo Legnani
August 24, 2025
  • United Airlines
  • Ryanair
  • Delta
  • Star Alliance
  • SkyTeam
  • United States of America

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In Europe it has set the standard the infamous 11A seat (who even has a profile on X with a few hundred followers) on the Boeing 737-800s of Ryanair, known as the 'window seat without a window'.

In this article:

    Cables and ducts of the air conditioning system are routed through that point in the fuselage and there is a 'hole' in the row of windows on the left side of the aircraft, meaning the window is not there.

    After years of user protests, for some time now the Irish low-cost airline, when choosing a seat during the booking process warns that 'this seat has no window', while still charging him slightly more than the two next to each other on the same row. For example, on a Malpensa-Bari in late September he charges 10.45 euros instead of the 9.90 asked for the middle and aisle seats.

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    In these hours, the 'shenanigans' of the 'window seat without a window' ended up all over the mainstream U.S. media because Tuesday, August 19 a large group of passengers has filed a class action lawsuit against United Airlines and Delta Airlines, demanding millions of dollars in compensation accusing them of charging extra for window seats where then, once on board, passengers were next to only the cabin wall.

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    Choose the window seat, but the window is not there: expert explains why
    Choose the window seat, but the window is not there: expert explains why

    As reported by some U.S. media outlets, including CNN and ABC, among the major companies in the Stars and Stripes American Airlines and Alaska Airlines also charge extra for 'windowless seats,' but, as Ryanair does in Europe, they warn customers at the time of booking That those certain places actually have no porthole. As they say... 'informed man half saved'.

    Business class on KLM's 787 without a window

    United Airlines and Delta Airlines, on the other hand, do not, despite having several aircraft models in their fleets aboard which there are 'windowless seats.' Specifically, in the case of United this happens On the Airbus A321 neo (places 31A and 31F), On Boeing 737-700s (10A and 10F), on the 737-800s (11A), on the 737-900ERs (12A and 12F) and on the 757-300 (17A and 17F).

    In the case of Delta, happens on the Airbus A321ceo (places 12A and 12F), on the A321neo (seats 30A and 30F on aircraft with recliners in First and also seats 23F and 24F on those with lie-flat seats), on the Boeing 757-200 (22A and 22F on aircraft with recliner seats in First and also 23A and 23F on those with lie-flat seats), on the 737-800s (13A), on the 737-900ERs without tailgate (11A and 15A) and on the -900ERs with tailgate (11A, 15A and 16A).

    The Flight Club verified what was claimed in the two lawsuits by trying to book a seat on a United flight operated with one of the company's Boeing 757-300s between San Francisco and Honolulu (a stretch of just under 5 hours). Well, when choosing a seat, to reserve 17A (or 17F), United charges an extra $44.99, versus the $34.99 it charges for the middle seat, while the corridor seat 'also comes in at $44.99. And by placing the mouse cursor on the seat, no writing appears to tell the passenger that, in fact, there is no window there.

    A 'tanned' window like this is as safe as any (even if it's not pretty to look at)
    A 'tanned' window like this is as safe as any (even if it's not pretty to look at)

    The lawsuits were filed in federal court in San Francisco in United's case and in Brooklyn court in Delta's case. CNN even speaks of more than one million passengers involved in each class action.

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