Yes, Some Airplane Window Seats Don't Have Windows-Here's Why

"Have you ever booked a window seat only to board and find that you're not looking out at the clear blue skies but rather at a white wall? While it's not a common occurrence, it's still a frustrating surprise. But why don't those seats have windows? It's because sometimes airlines customize the aircraft and add more rows than it was initially designed for. Fundamentally, the issue arises because windows are permanent structural elements, whereas seat layouts can change based on airline preferences."

""Airlines configure seating based on maximum seating alignment. Seat rows are spaced according to seat pitch (legroom), which varies by airline and aircraft type," says Corry Lane, director of safety at Cirrus Aviation Services, a private jet charter company. "Windows, however, are fixed into the aircraft's fuselage at standard intervals that don't always match seat spacing." Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus typically install windows around every 20 inches."

Aircraft windows are fixed structural elements installed at standard intervals while airlines can reconfigure seat layouts to fit more rows or offer more legroom. Manufacturers typically space windows around every 20 inches, but seat rows are spaced according to seat pitch, which varies by carrier and aircraft. Budget carriers often reduce pitch to increase capacity, and full-service carriers often leave more legroom. When added rows or different pitch cause misalignment, seats adjacent to the fuselage can end up without an external window. No specific FAA rule currently prohibits selling seats labeled as "window" without an actual view, and legal challenges have emerged.

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