Lawsuit Over United’s ‘Windowless Window Seats’ Will Move Forward, Judge Rules

The carrier argued that a “window seat” is defined by its position in the cabin, not its proximity to an actual window.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, July 07, 2026 at 11:55 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A United Airbus A320. (Photo: Shutterstock | Wenjie Zheng)

A federal judge on Monday denied United’s bid to throw out a lawsuit filed on behalf of passengers who claim they paid extra money for window seats on flights and ended up sitting next to a windowless cabin wall.

According to Reuters, U.S. Judge James Donato of the Northern District of California rejected United’s argument that the term “window seat” refers only to a seat’s position in an aircraft cabin and does not imply proximity to an actual window. He also noted that the airline’s ticketing terms, reservation system, and booking interface do not disclose the possibility of missing windows.

“No more is needed at this stage for ⁠the breach claims to go forward,” Donato said.

United declined to comment on the ruling but told Reuters that it has added more detail to its seat selection process to improve the customer experience.

Attorneys filed a proposed class action lawsuit against United in August on behalf of clients who said they paid higher fares with the understanding they would get a seat with a window and felt cheated by their actual, windowless seat.

The airline asked the court to dismiss the case in November. In a filing, its lawyers wrote that “the use of the word ‘window’ in reference to a particular seat cannot reasonably be interpreted as a promise that the seat will have an exterior window view.”

Many major carriers operate aircraft with one or more seats that would ordinarily have a window but do not due to the positioning of air conditioning ducts, electrical conduits, or other systems. They vary, however, in how this information is communicated to passengers. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, for instance, alert customers when a wall-adjacent seat does not have a window view.

The plaintiffs are seeking “all appropriate monetary relief,” including punitive damages, against United.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

Kenya Airways 787 Returns to Airport After Flight Controls Malfunction

The New York-bound flight turned around over central Africa and landed safely in Nairobi.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, July 07, 2026 at 10:40 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 landing in London. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for New York-JFK was forced to turn back to Nairobi on Sunday after its crew reported a problem with the aircraft’s flight controls.

In a statement, Kenya Airways said the crew encountered a “flight controls spoiler malfunction” while flying over Chad. The pilots conducted precautionary safety checks and elected to return to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and assure them that their safety and that of our crew are our highest priority,” the carrier said.

Kenya Airways did not specify the kind of aircraft involved, but data collected by FlightAware shows the airline uses a 787-8 on its Nairobi-JFK route.

“Spoiler malfunctions are rare but can occur, and they cause increased drag and fuel consumption,” the carrier added. “Our pilots are trained to proficiently handle these scenarios safely, and air turnbacks are standard safety procedures.”

The airplane landed safely, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. No further details about the malfunction were immediately available.

According to FlightAware, Kenya Airways typically completes flights from Nairobi to JFK in just under 15 hours.

Zach Vasile

United Adds New Seasonal Route to Caribbean

Service will run from December to April.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 06, 2026 at 04:52 PM ET

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Zach Vasile

A United 737 MAX 8. (Photo: Shutterstock | lorenzatx)

United is expanding its warm-weather offerings from Denver International Airport in time for the winter travel season.

Starting Dec. 19, the carrier will connect Denver and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Providenciales is a new destination from Denver, officials said, with no other airline currently flying the route.

Flights will operate once weekly, on Saturdays, between Dec. 19 and April 24, 2027. The service will use Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

“United’s network offering from Denver is unmatched, and the addition of Turks and Caicos is yet another destination that only United brings to Coloradans,” United Vice President Jonna McGrath said in a news release. “United’s commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience in Denver is underscored by each new route we add, as well as the more than $1 billion in investments we have made here since 2021.”

United currently connects Denver to four destinations in the Caribbean – Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Zach Vasile

EasyJet Agrees to $7.3 Billion Takeover

The low-cost airline previously rejected several offers from alternative investment firm Castlelake.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 06, 2026 at 03:05 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

An easyJet Airbus A320 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

In a sudden about-face that promises to shake up Europe’s airline industry, British low-cost carrier EasyJet said Sunday that it has reached an agreement “in principle” for an acquisition by Minnesota-based alternative investment firm Castlelake.

EasyJet rejected several offers from Castlelake last month and insisted it had no interest in a sale. The airline’s leadership labeled Castlelake’s bidding “opportunistic,” given that the carrier was temporarily weakened by the high cost of jet fuel stemming from the war in Iran.

EasyJet appeared to walk back that language on Sunday, stating that Castlelake “has emphasised its tremendous respect for EasyJet and its people” and wants to “support its future growth and transformation to a stronger, more resilient European airline.”

“Having carefully reviewed it with its advisers, the board of EasyJet concluded that the financial terms of the fifth proposal are at a value that the board would be minded to recommend to EasyJet shareholders,” the carrier said.

Castlelake’s latest offer values EasyJet at approximately $7.34 billion. The deal is not final; the company has until Aug. 3 to firm up its offer.

Castlelake announced its interest in EasyJet in June and took the unusual step of making its bids public after the carrier proved reluctant to engage beyond simply reviewing and turning down its offers. The tactic was widely seen as an appeal to the airline’s shareholders.

Under U.K. law, Castlelake had 28 days to reach a preliminary understanding with EasyJet.

Some British commentators have voiced concern over the potential takeover, noting that EasyJet’s assets could be of greater value to Castlelake than the continued operation of the airline in its current form. EasyJet is the largest low-cost carrier in the U.K. by passengers carried and fleet size.

Zach Vasile

Delta A319 Hit by Fireworks on July 4

The aircraft landed safely in Chicago.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 06, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta Airbus A319. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

A Delta Airbus A319 was hit by fireworks shortly before landing at Chicago Midway on Saturday.

According to the FAA, one of the pilots reported that a “fireworks mortar” struck the aircraft at about 200 feet.

“Definitely felt the big bang,” the pilot told air traffic controllers. A controller advised that there were “multiple reports” of fireworks being set off from homes near the airport, which is located on the southwest side of Chicago.

The airplane landed safely at Midway with no injuries among the 52 passengers and six crew. The A319 was inspected for damage, but none was found.

The flight originated in Atlanta.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

Zach Vasile

Philippine Airlines Expands Service to North America

The carrier is adding flights on three popular routes.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 06, 2026 at 11:10 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Philippine Airlines aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Philippine Airlines is adding flights on three busy routes between the Philippines and the U.S. and Canada.

Starting this fall, the carrier will expand service between Manila and New York-JFK, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Manila to Vancouver will increase from seven to 10 weekly flights, effective Nov. 17.

Manila to Toronto will increase from three to four weekly flights, effective Dec. 2.

Manila to JFK will increase from three to four weekly flights effective Dec. 2, with a fifth weekly flight during the peak December 2026-January 2027 holiday travel season.

Additional New York and Toronto flights will initially use Airbus A350-900 aircraft before transitioning to new A350-1000s. The -1000 will also begin serving San Francisco beginning in August, officials said.

Philippines Airlines, often abbreviated as PAL, said the new flights will help meet consumer demand, give travelers more flexibility, and strengthen connectivity to onward destinations both in North America – though the airline’s partnerships with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and WestJet – and in Southeast Asia.

“North America continues to be one of Philippine Airlines’ most important markets,” President Richard Nuttall said in a news release. “As travel demand grows, these additional flights strengthen our position as the preferred nonstop carrier between the Philippines and North America whilst providing our customers with greater choice, improved connectivity, and more opportunities to travel, do business, and reconnect with family and loved ones.”

Zach Vasile

Frontier Adds Eight Former Spirit Routes

The connections launched Sunday and Monday.

Zach Vasile

Monday, July 06, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Frontier A321 in Las Vegas. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Frontier this week launched eight new domestic routes formerly operated by its now-defunct competitor, Spirit Airlines.

Most of the new connections came online Sunday. They are Boston to Orlando, Florida; Dallas/Fort Worth to New Orleans; Detroit to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Detroit to Philadelphia; Las Vegas to Kansas City; Orlando to Memphis, Tennessee; and Orlando to Richmond, Virginia.

Another route, Detroit to Las Vegas, will start on Monday.

“We are pleased to grow our service across the country to ensure low-cost flight options remain available to consumers as they plan their travel this summer and beyond,” Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier, said in a news release.

Following Spirit’s collapse in early May, Frontier said it would expand its presence in former Spirit markets, including Orlando, Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, and Detroit. Route information, however, was not released at the time.

Frontier officials have said they expect Spirit’s demise to help lift revenue per available seat mile by between 3% and 5%.

Zach Vasile

Livery of the Week: Biman Bangladesh Airlines

The flag carrier’s iconic bird emblem has remained a fixture of its identity for more than five decades.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, July 03, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Biman Bangladesh Boeing 787 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ standard livery is built around the Balaka, or migratory stork, a symbol that has been synonymous with the airline since its founding in 1972. Displayed prominently on the tail in bright red, the stylized bird has become one of the most recognizable airline logos in South Asia.

The Balaka is positioned against a white vertical stabilizer, creating a sharp contrast that draws attention to the emblem. The symbol represents movement and long-distance travel, reflecting both Bangladesh’s aviation ambitions and the airline’s role in connecting the country with destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The fuselage follows a clean, understated layout. A green cheatline runs the length of the aircraft beneath the cabin windows, while “Biman Bangladesh Airlines” titles appear near the forward fuselage in both English and Bengali. The use of green and red mirrors the colors of Bangladesh’s national flag.

A Boeing 787 taxis at Paine Field.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

The current version of the livery was introduced as Biman modernized its fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 737 aircraft. While the design has been refined over the years, the airline retained the Balaka emblem, ensuring continuity with a brand that has represented Bangladesh for more than half a century.

The livery is applied consistently across Biman’s fleet of Boeing 777s, 787 Dreamliners, and 737-800s. Although the proportions vary between narrowbody and widebody aircraft, the placement of the Balaka, cheatline, and bilingual titles remains largely unchanged.

Unlike many modern airline liveries that emphasize abstract graphics or minimalist branding, Biman’s design places a single national symbol at its center. The result is a straightforward but distinctive livery that has endured through multiple fleet generations while remaining closely tied to the airline’s heritage.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Delta Pilots Warn of Flight Delays, Cancellations This Summer

The carrier’s ALPA chapter is negotiating a new contract.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, July 02, 2026 at 02:35 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta Airbus A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | Kevin Hackert)

Delta pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association have launched a public website warning customers of likely delays and cancellations this summer.

The website, deltapilotscare.com, contains a message from the pilots to travelers stressing that they “will continue to prioritize safety” while also calling attention to potential scheduling and operational challenges tied to thunderstorms, staffing shortages, and maintenance work.

“We have been working on our days off in record numbers to help you get to your destination,” the statement reads. “We empathize and share in your frustration over the delays, cancellations, and disrupted travel plans you experienced. We agree; it is unacceptable.”

The website includes a long list of travel recommendations, including booking the first flight of the day, using the Fly Delta app, and enrolling in programs such as TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry to expedite security screenings and customs. A video near the top of the page advises passengers of their rights if their flight is delayed or cancelled.

ALPA’s Delta Master Executive Council announced the website’s debut this week as the chapter enters negotiations for a new contract with the airline. The tactic is not uncommon in the industry – other work groups at other airlines have used standalone temporary websites to communicate with the public during contract discussions and, on occasion, voice direct criticisms of their employer.

It is also possible that the pilots are looking to preempt and redirect customer frustration toward Delta if reliability falters during the summer travel period.

“Delta has built a reputation on being a premium brand,” Eric Criswell, chairman of the Delta MEC, said in a news release. “The Delta pilots want to do our part to ensure our passengers continue to receive the service they’ve come to expect when flying on Delta. Our customers deserve a reliable airline, and pilots do, too.”

A contract opener released in April shows which areas the MEC will prioritize in negotiations, specifically “industry-leading” pay, enhanced scope protections, higher company contributions to retirement, and additional days eligible for holiday pay. The pilots also listed a number of desired quality of life improvements, such as improved deadhead provisions, higher-quality layover hotels, and increased schedule flexibility.

The pilots’ contract becomes amendable at the end of the year.

The MEC said deltapilotscare.com will be updated throughout the summer with additional tips and guidance.

Zach Vasile

Report: Delta Looks to Acquire Former Spirit Gates in Atlanta

The carrier is offering $12 million.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, July 02, 2026 at 10:35 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Delta aircraft in Atlanta. (Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock)

Delta is looking to take over the gates formerly used by Spirit at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

WSB-TV reported Wednesday that the carrier is offering $12 million for the two gates, C4 and C6. The station cited documents filed in Spirit’s ongoing bankruptcy and liquidation case.

According to the filing, Spirit is in favor of the transaction and believes Delta’s offer is the best it will get.

“The debtors have determined, in their reasonable business judgment and in consultation with their advisors, that entering into the assignment agreement with Delta would yield the highest or otherwise best offer for the use and lease agreement and will provide a greater recovery for their estates than any known or practicably available alternative,” the documents state.

The deal will need to be approved by the federal court overseeing Spirit’s wind-down.

In a statement provided to WSB-TV, Delta acknowledged that it bid for the gates and said it will work with the city of Atlanta “to ensure its facilities are used in a way that best supports customers and sustains Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s position as a leading global gateway.”

The carrier did not say how the two gates would be used if the sale goes through.

Spirit ceased operations on May 2, but a small core of employees is continuing to oversee the sale of the company’s assets, including airport gates, aircraft, and equipment. Money generated from those sales will be paid to the defunct airline’s creditors.

Zach Vasile