Television news anchor Gayle King has criticized United Airlines for a unique issue encountered during her recent flight from Maui to New York City. On January 3, 2024, while seated in what was designated as a ‘window’ seat on a United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER, King discovered that her seat, specifically 18L, did not have a window.
King shared her experience on Instagram, expressing her disappointment. She had expected to enjoy views from her seat on the eight-and-a-half-hour non-stop flight, but instead faced the reality of a windowless seat. According to reports from Live and Let’s Fly, while the seat was allocated as a window seat, it was located in a part of the aircraft where the exterior shell did not align with any window.
Flight Details and Passenger Experience
The flight, designated as UA441, departed from Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) at 23:04 local time, approximately 34 minutes behind its scheduled time of 22:30. The service to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) typically takes about eight hours and 30 minutes. Despite the delay, the flight arrived at EWR at 12:37 on January 4, 2024, 32 minutes ahead of schedule, having spent most of the journey cruising at around 39,000 feet.
King, as a member of United Polaris class, was part of Boarding Group 1, allowing her early access to the aircraft. Upon realizing the lack of a window, she sought clarification from a flight attendant, who confirmed that her seat was indeed not a window seat and suggested she voice her concerns.
Aircraft Specifications and Industry Context
The aircraft operated on this flight, registered as N673UA, is a 26-year-old Boeing 767-300ER, which has been a part of United Airlines’ fleet since its delivery on January 11, 2000. This model typically accommodates a total of 167 passengers across three service classes: 46 in United Polaris, 22 in United Premium Plus, and 99 in United Economy.
While the experience of having a windowless seat can be frustrating, particularly for passengers who have booked with the expectation of a view, this configuration is not entirely uncommon in aviation. Certain aircraft designs feature rows that do not align with windows, a detail that is often overlooked during the booking process. As noted by sources at ch-aviation, passengers seated in row 18 on this specific aircraft configuration will not have a visible window.
Despite the lack of a view, the onboard experience—including amenities such as meals and entertainment—remains consistent across the flight, regardless of seat location. Although King’s experience was less than ideal, it highlights an aspect of air travel that many passengers may not fully consider when booking their flights.
United Airlines operates a fleet of 37 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with 24 configured for premium-heavy service. As the airline continues to adapt its services, passenger feedback remains vital for improving the travel experience.
