A federal judge in California has ruled that United Airlines must face a class-action lawsuit over its practice of charging extra for window seats that do not actually have a window. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco on Monday, July 6, allows the case to move forward after United tried to dismiss it.

The lawsuit, filed in August 2025, accuses United Airlines of misleading passengers by selling "window" seats that are next to a wall but lack an actual window. Passengers paid premium fees—over $50 on domestic flights and more than $100 on international routes—for these seats. According to the complaint, United has sold more than a million such seats due to the configuration of its Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 planes, which have some seats without windows because of interior design choices.

United argued that "window" refers only to the seat's position next to the wall, not a guarantee of an exterior view. However, Judge Donato noted that United’s ticketing terms and reservation screens state passengers will receive window seats if they pay for them. He wrote, according to Reuters, "'No more is needed at this stage for the breach claims to go forward.'"

The lawsuit alleges United continued this practice for years, despite complaints and public criticism. Other airlines with similar aircraft, like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, reportedly notify passengers in advance if a seat does not have a window, but the lawsuit claims United did not do so.

United updated its website and app in 2025 to provide more information about seat selection, but declined to comment on the lawsuit itself.

Passengers seek over $5,000,000 in damages and the case covers more than 100 travelers. A similar lawsuit was also filed against Delta Air Lines. The lawsuit will continue in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with United required to defend its practices in court.

Bob Hauer