Overview
- United filed a motion in San Francisco federal court seeking dismissal of a proposed class action alleging it charged extra for seats labeled as window that lacked exterior windows.
- The airline said the word window identifies a seat next to the aircraft wall and does not promise an outside view, even when shown on booking screens and boarding passes.
- United argued that courts have held federal law generally bars breach-of-contract claims tied to airline fees and surcharges, characterizing seat-selection charges as ancillary revenue.
- Plaintiffs say many passengers buy window seats for light, views, or to reduce motion sickness and would not have paid extra if they knew some seats faced a blank wall.
- Attorney Carter Greenbaum criticized United’s stance as word games, and related suits against United in California and Delta in Brooklyn seek millions on behalf of more than 1 million passengers per carrier.