A television news anchor has publicly criticized United Airlines after experiencing a windowless window seat during a long-haul flight. On January 3, 2024, Gayle King, co-anchor of CBS Morning, shared her frustration on Instagram following her flight from Maui to New York City. The flight, operated by a Boeing 767-300ER, featured an allocated seat that King believed would offer a view, only to discover there was no window at all.
While seated in 18L, King took to social media to express her dismay. She stated, “When is a window seat not a window seat? C’mon @united!” She also noted that the flight attendant acknowledged the seat’s peculiar designation, admitting he had never encountered a situation like this before. Unfortunately for King, the flight was fully booked, leaving no options for a seat change.
Flight Details and Passenger Experience
The non-stop flight, designated as UA441, departed from Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) at 23:04, which was 34 minutes later than its scheduled departure of 22:30. Despite this delay, the flight managed to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 12:37 the next day, a full 32 minutes ahead of the expected arrival time of 13:09. The average flight duration for this route is approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.
King, who was allocated to Boarding Group 1—reserved for Premium Platinum and Gold Members, Star Alliance Gold Members, and those traveling in United Polaris—was among the first passengers to board the aircraft. During the flight, which cruised at an altitude of around 39,000 feet, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of a window in her designated seat.
United Airlines operates a fleet of 37 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with 24 configured for premium service. The specific aircraft, registered as N673UA, is over 26 years old and has been in service since January 11, 2000. It accommodates a total of 167 passengers across three classes, including 46 seats in United Polaris, 22 in United Premium Plus, and 99 in economy.
Understanding Aircraft Seat Configurations
It is not uncommon for certain aircraft configurations to include seats labeled as “window seats” that do not actually have a window. This can occur when the exterior structure of the aircraft does not align with the seating arrangement. In King’s case, the aircraft’s design meant that row 18 did not feature windows, despite being categorized as a window seat.
According to data from AeroLOPA, the specific seat configuration for N673UA confirms that row 18 lacks a window. While such a situation can be frustrating for passengers expecting a view, it generally does not impact the overall in-flight experience, especially during overnight flights where visibility outside is limited.
King’s experience has shed light on an issue that may affect other travelers unaware of the potential for windowless seats. While the core amenities, including meals and entertainment, remain unaffected, the incident serves as a reminder for passengers to verify seating details when booking flights.
The incident has sparked conversations about airline transparency regarding seat designations, prompting calls for clearer communication about seat features. As airlines continue to evolve their fleet and configurations, passengers like King hope for improvements that enhance the overall flying experience.
