Delta Airlines Lawsuit: Did You Pay for a Windowless Seat?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Delta Air Lines charged passengers premium fees for "window seats" that, in some aircraft configurations, have no windows at all.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who paid premium fees for windowless seats marketed as window options on Delta Air Lines flights.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

New York traveler Nicholas Meyer thought he was upgrading his flight experience when he paid extra for a window seat on a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER. Instead of the expected view from 30,000 feet, Meyer found himself staring at a blank cabin wall.

He filed a class action lawsuit in New York federal court, alleging Delta Air Lines has been charging passengers premium fees for so-called window seats that, in some aircraft configurations, have no windows at all.

Delta Accused of Charging for Seats Without a View

According to the lawsuit, certain Delta aircraft, including Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 models, contain rows where a window would typically be located but is absent due to air conditioning ducts, electrical conduits, or other internal components.

The complaint says Delta’s seating charts continue to advertise these spots as window seats, leading passengers to pay an upgrade fee only to find no window beside them once onboard.

Meyer’s lawsuit singles out seat 15A on the 737-900ER as an example. Delta’s booking map shows it as a window seat, the complaint alleges, even though no window exists there.

Lawsuit Alleges Passengers Paid Up to $100 for Windowless Seats

The lawsuit says Delta charges passengers between $30 and $100 extra for selecting one of these seats. Basic economy flyers, who pay to upgrade to higher fare classes, may then spend additional fees choosing what they believe is a premium window option.

By labeling these seats as window seats in the booking process, plaintiffs argue, Delta misrepresents the product customers are paying for. The complaint characterizes this as a breach of contract because the airline did not deliver what passengers reasonably expected based on its own descriptions.

The filing notes that other airlines, including Alaska and American, flag seats without windows on their seat maps so customers know what they are selecting. In contrast, Delta allegedly does not provide any warning.

Airlines Face Legal Challenges Over Pricing and Transparency

A similar lawsuit filed against United Airlines earlier this year makes nearly identical claims. That complaint says United has charged passengers more than $50 on domestic routes and over $100 on international flights for windowless “window” seats.

In Meyer’s case against Delta, the lawsuit argues that selling windowless seats as window seats violates the terms of the ticket purchase. Passengers claim they paid more based on the belief they would receive the advertised view, but instead got a blank wall.

The complaint further states that Delta knowingly continued to market these seats as premium options despite being aware that no windows existed in those positions.

Meyer seeks to represent Delta passengers who paid premium fees for windowless seats marketed as window options. The lawsuit requests damages, restitution, and other relief, including changes to Delta’s seat maps and marketing materials to prevent future misrepresentation.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Meyer v. Delta Air Lines, Inc.
• Case Number: Case Number: 22-05945
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Casey J. Olbrantz and Carter E. Greenbaum (Greenbaum Olbrantz LLP)

Have you ever paid extra for a window seat on Delta or another airline, only to find yourself seated next to a wall? Share your experience below.