A federal judge ruled that United Airlines must face a class-action lawsuit brought by passengers who say they paid extra for “window seats” that did not actually have windows.

The lawsuit alleges that some “window seats” on Boeing 737s, 757s, and Airbus A321s are positioned next to blank cabin walls rather than an exterior window. United attempted to get the case dismissed, arguing that “window seat” is just a description of where the seat is located—not a guarantee of a view through a real window.

Judge James Donato rejected that argument, saying the airlines’ own materials—such as ticketing terms, boarding passes, and seat-selection/reservation screens—promised customers window seats when they paid for them. He also rejected the idea that federal law barred the passengers’ claims based on that marketing.

The lawsuit also names Delta Air Lines. United said that, as part of its ongoing review of its website and app, it added more detail to seat selection in 2025 so customers would better understand what to expect. Delta declined to comment publicly on the pending litigation, and it has been working to dismiss the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs say they are owed damages on behalf of more than 1 million passengers, citing benefits such as reduced anxiety, easier motion sickness, and the chance to enjoy views from the aircraft.