Journalist and TV presenter Gayle King recently flew United’s Polaris business class, only to be frustrated by her lack of a window, as flagged by Live and Let’s Fly. I find this story to be interesting on a couple of levels…
In this post:
Gayle King gets pushback over window seat frustration
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Gayle King took to Instagram to share some frustration with her 1.2 million followers about a United Airlines flight she took. Specifically, she was on flight UA441 from Maui (OGG) to Newark (EWR) on January 3 in business class (with Polaris seats, but technically the route isn’t marketed as Polaris). The roughly nine-hour flight was operated by a Boeing 767-300ER, departing late at night, and landing at Newark midday the next day.
King captioned her Instagram post as follows:
When is a window seat not a window seat? C’mon @united! The flight attendant agreed it was NOT a window seat. He said he had never seen anything like this and while there was nothing he could do (full flight), he suggested I complain. This is me complaining…
In the roughly minute-long video, King can be heard explaining that she likes window seats, and always selects the “L series” seats, since they’re by the windows. However, she turned the camera to show her view, and the lack of a window.
She then thought that maybe she could look out the window in the other direction, but there was a wall there, since she was in the last row of the business class cabin. Meanwhile she then sees if she can look out the window of the person seated in front of her, only to discover that his window shade is closed.
As you’d expect, “first world” complaints about airline issues often aren’t well received publicly, so King is being slammed by many as being out of touch.
What stands out to me about this United complaint
Personally, I enjoy watching musings about air travel, especially in premium cabins, since I always find it interesting to see how people perceive experiences. A few things stand out to me about this video:
- It’s noteworthy that King is a member of United’s invitation-only Global Services status, as you can see on the boarding pass
- Speaking of the boarding pass, goodness, she’s being such a newb here by posting her boarding pass info and barcode, as that can make it easy for people to steal her account info — c’mon, don’t do that!
- I assume King is a frequent flyer, and she should know that you should always consult one of the websites dedicated to airplane seating before selecting a seat, to avoid something like this; the aeroLOPA seat map would’ve made it clear that there’s no real window at that seat
- It’s a little strange that King claims that the flight attendant said “he had never seen anything like this,” because most of United’s long haul aircraft have some Polaris seats with little or no view of a window
- An overnight flight where it’s dark most of the way hardly seems like the worst flight to not have a window
Several months ago, United faced a class action lawsuit in California, regarding its practice of selling window seats without windows. What made that different than this situation is that it was specifically for those who paid extra to assign a window seat, and didn’t get one. In premium cabins, United doesn’t charge for seat assignments, so this is a little different.
Bottom line
Gayle King flew United business class from Maui to Newark, and was frustrated to find that her window seat didn’t actually have a window. While I enjoy a window view as much as King does, this situations seems rather avoidable, by consulting a website like aeroLOPA.
This certainly isn’t the only aircraft where something like this is the case, so if nothing else, it’s a good reminder to travelers to not assume that window seats actually have windows. Also, as a Global Services member, King should know better than to post her boarding pass (though perhaps she was just given that due to her influence, rather than actually being a frequent flyer?).
What do you make of Gayle King’s Polaris business class seat window complaint?
What do you make of Gayle King’s Polaris business class seat window complaint?
I don’t care as it wasn’t my experience.
I doubt she books her own travel. She most likely has an assistant do it for her. Also, if she is EWR based, and assuming she only flies in F/J, then yeah I could see Global Services being gifted to her.
Gayle King... elitist much?
Take personal responsibility.
Get over it.
Has anyone else noticed that ‘Jessica’, is in the habit of trolling AeroB13a, at every opportunity? It can be seen that when AeroB13a, responds to trolls, it often does not end well for them, or Jessica.
It can be observed that following a trolling encounter with the likes of Jessica, the fake AeroB13a (Guest) arrives on the scene, as below. Should one come to the obvious conclusion? Alternatively, should one simply accept that Ben, is...
Has anyone else noticed that ‘Jessica’, is in the habit of trolling AeroB13a, at every opportunity? It can be seen that when AeroB13a, responds to trolls, it often does not end well for them, or Jessica.
It can be observed that following a trolling encounter with the likes of Jessica, the fake AeroB13a (Guest) arrives on the scene, as below. Should one come to the obvious conclusion? Alternatively, should one simply accept that Ben, is condoning this behaviour by not putting measures in place to eliminate login misappropriation?
Bud, few folks, if any, actually care about the online banter in these comment sections. You and I and a few others apparently do enjoy it, but we're in the minority. That said, yeah, I wish the impersonating would stop (the perp has done it to me, too.) At least your 'Diamond' sets the real you apart. O.G. 1990, out.
Someone wait the news reader angry
There neatly zero chance Gayle King booked her own seat. Agree with other comments that what is there to see on mostly overnight flight?
Surprised at the negativity and hate here. This happened to me on SIN-SFO a few years ago and I was disappointed even though it was a night flight. Just because someone flies a lot doesn’t mean they have the time and knowledge to search external sites for whether a window seat means a window.
This was a nice little laugh to start out our new year. But I find it funny that there was not one "window" pax who would switch with her in order to get a selfie and say, "Gayle has a view because of me...me...me!" This was a Hawaii flight post-holiday so probably filled with leisure folks who should have jumped at the chance to help out Miss King for such "notoriety." All she had to do was ask...instead of complain.
I hate when that happens.
Gee Gayle, I'm sure you fly more than than do I. How come I would have known that seat didn't have a window and face toward the aisle next to a bathroom wall? So, I would have selected first an odd-row window seat. If not available, I would have known which odd-row window seats have no windows. So, you care a lot about having a window, but 1) you're unwilling to take the time to...
Gee Gayle, I'm sure you fly more than than do I. How come I would have known that seat didn't have a window and face toward the aisle next to a bathroom wall? So, I would have selected first an odd-row window seat. If not available, I would have known which odd-row window seats have no windows. So, you care a lot about having a window, but 1) you're unwilling to take the time to got to aerolopa or 2) your assistant screwed up or 3) you had no choice and couldn't have obtained a better seat with effort, but want to p!$$ and moan.
Maybe she doesn't (fly more than than you). Like, airlines do dish out complimentary invitation-only status to high-profile individuals. Perhaps, this was her one United flight that year, and she didn't know what she was getting into with seat-selection. Meh.
Window is in reference to the location of the seat, ie, not the 2 center seats since the config is 1-2-1. I've flown the UAL 767 and 777 numerous times and always check Seat Guru to ensure my seat is the one that's flush window side vs aisle and has a window.
The complaint is legitimate and widely misunderstood.
Personal space on an airplane is limited. When you select a window seat, it is reasonably implied that a window will be present. Many people enjoy looking at the earth from a different perspective. Others prefer darkness, quiet, and disengagement — a perfectly valid lifestyle choice, though perhaps better supported by an eye mask than by negotiating with strangers.
Seasoned travelers understand how air travel works. They prepare....
The complaint is legitimate and widely misunderstood.
Personal space on an airplane is limited. When you select a window seat, it is reasonably implied that a window will be present. Many people enjoy looking at the earth from a different perspective. Others prefer darkness, quiet, and disengagement — a perfectly valid lifestyle choice, though perhaps better supported by an eye mask than by negotiating with strangers.
Seasoned travelers understand how air travel works. They prepare. They bring eye shades. They accept that windows may be open. Commercial flying is efficient, remarkably safe, and largely predictable — which is why preparation matters.
There is also a simple and elegant solution to the window debate: if you want control of the window, sit by the window. If darkness is essential, the window seat allows you to close it and sleep undisturbed. What becomes puzzling is the expectation that one can enjoy the freedom of an aisle seat and exercise authority over a window several feet away. One cannot have it both ways — physics, seating charts, and social contracts all agree on this point.
And let’s not forget: no one is forced onto that airplane. Everyone there arrived by their own free will. If you choose to fly, you’re not being punished — you’re participating. Acting otherwise is unnecessary and a bit theatrical.
Gayle, I didn’t need to Google your name. A window seat should have a window, and when it doesn’t, some form of acknowledgment or compensation is reasonable. Thanks for voicing a frustration many travelers quietly share. Safe and enjoyable travels.
If it says "Window" it should have a window. But, yeah, I always check. One would think that Gayle King had "people" who would do that for her.
No window? LH sells window-less F seats at a premium. I’m confused.
I'm struggling with Ben's comment that not having a window on an overnight flight is no big deal as there's nought to see.
But he insisted in previous posts that he has the right to keep his shades up when people are trying to sleep and he is flying over polar waters where there is definitely "nothing to see"!
Another dumbo who brags about being stupid
I could be so lucky to fly Polaris. Stop complaining and flaunting your privilege. Most of us will never fly Polaris.
Never heard of her...had to 'Google'.
Perhaps this was a “complimentary”upgrade - due to her high tier status why would she have chosen the last and very worst seat- perhaps her minion making the reservation needs to familiarise herself with seat maps
Agree, has to be one of the worst seats overall. Only a bonus if crew start service from the back for any reason.
I would certainly speak with my travel arranger .when I got home which I am quite happy to not be that person... and I get the lack of empathy for Ms. King, HOWEVER no airline should do this. If I had paid major bucks or miles and found myself in this coffin of a seat I would not be as kind as she is being. This simply is not right.
If the ticket says window seat then that's what it should be. I'm with Gale I enjoy looking out a window. If anything it should say window obstructed seat.
I agree. This is not an issue of privilege, it is false advertising by the airline. The boarding pass clearly states window seat where there is no window. No one should be required to check out the seating chart on a separate website to confirm that when they are told to expect a window that such window actually exists!
Jack gets it.
The airline has to be taken to task. You can also feel claustrophobic and there is a safety issue which is why smart airlines (unlike the stupid American ones) insist window shades are opened for landing and take off.
Let me fix the title:
Irreverent & Irrelevant Dog Flies Leading Premium Product in the Americas, Bitches Incessantly.
“Dog”? Really? Sheesh!
@Madrid
It was an accurate description. So what are you 'sheeshing' about?
Thanks John, appreciate the support.
I would pay little to no attention to Madrid, a user as distasteful and unintelligent as his namesake!
AeroB impersonator, as much as I am flattered by your guest appearances Jessica, what are your theatrical performances intended to prove?
Yet you’ve paid plenty of attention to my comment!
Again, sheesh!
Thoughts and prayers for Kayle Ging. The suffering this person endured in being denied a "window". All those dumb people whining about having no food and sleeping rough don't understand Kayle Ging's suffering.
Amen. Such a stink for nothing, such a privileged woman and still complaining.
Gee, she couldnt borrow Oprahs Jet? Sheesh!! Times are tough!!
I am guessing CBS was covering the expense.
I couldn't care less about her, or her girlfriend for that matter. She obviously has assistants, and this lands with them. A good assistant KNOWS what their boss likes/dislikes, period!
What this post signals is the greed of airlines to sell J class seats without a window. I think it's obvious, that back in the day, a toilet occupied this area. With today's configurations, a seat has gone there (who cares about the passenger). Think...
I couldn't care less about her, or her girlfriend for that matter. She obviously has assistants, and this lands with them. A good assistant KNOWS what their boss likes/dislikes, period!
What this post signals is the greed of airlines to sell J class seats without a window. I think it's obvious, that back in the day, a toilet occupied this area. With today's configurations, a seat has gone there (who cares about the passenger). Think about that... Someone is paying thousands and gets a wall... across from another wall.
I
D
O
N
O
T
C
A
R
E
A
B
O
U
T
T
H
I
S
!
LOL.
Well folks, it seems that Wacky Gail Queen has officially lost it! What a "LOSER".
Who the hell is this ABSOLUTE NOBODY and why the hell is this privileged, entitled, main character syndrome ambassador of audacity getting any airtime?
God you'll do anything for goddamn attention and to promote such idiocy is absolutely moronic.
"peace of mind"?
I don't know if it was appropriate or not for her to post this.
HOWEVER, given her platform, this could be enough for United (and others) to make the minimal effort to indicate which window seats do not have a window.
Is this a pressing problem in our world? Absolutely not. But I think we can all agree it would be better, not worse, if airlines make this clear on their seat maps.
Another entitled, self-absorbed 1 percenter. I bet you those poor saps on those deportation flights don’t even have windows, or caviar. Why no one is standing up to them ?
Because they are criminals. Being in our country illegally is a crime.
Hmmm... BFZEWF. Hope that's just a one-way ticket.
This AeroB13a's wife?
Ok Jessica, I’ll play your silly trolls game in order to add another click to Ben’s latest click-bait article.
For your information, in the event that there is a “Wife” of AeroB13a, that would be his business and absolutely none of yours.
SILENCE, AERO "MOBY DICK" B13A!
Shouting like a demented fishwife, only serves to prove your inadequacies, don’t you realise that Jessy?
Gayle King is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left for a man-he made a good decision.
What are you talking about?
Quick search shows: “Gayle King divorced her husband, attorney William Bumpus, primarily because he was unfaithful, with King discovering him in bed with another woman in 1990, leading to their divorce in 1993 after 11 years of marriage.”
Regardless of Gayle’s ‘hot take’ on United, no need to defame her or her ex.
1990 is in big trouble, has lost all credibility, and is unlikely to see Tim "Tom" "The Dunce" Deuce close his ridiculous deal with them after having learned so much about the massive number of fake news and Misinformation Accounts that people using OMAAT must endure. Why doesn’t the Corrupt Racist Dummy, Aero "Moby Dick" B13a, who just dropped out of the race after getting almost no support, investigate them? Perhaps that's sending me a...
1990 is in big trouble, has lost all credibility, and is unlikely to see Tim "Tom" "The Dunce" Deuce close his ridiculous deal with them after having learned so much about the massive number of fake news and Misinformation Accounts that people using OMAAT must endure. Why doesn’t the Corrupt Racist Dummy, Aero "Moby Dick" B13a, who just dropped out of the race after getting almost no support, investigate them? Perhaps that's sending me a signal? It would be great politics for a "OMAAT hack” like Eskimo!
Sir, this is a Wendy's... wait, @Penile, is Darryl one of yours, too? My my my...
WHO!?!?!
Is Jeff Bezos still required to show up and use a “special tool” to open the airplane door wherever she lands?
Jeff Bezos...? Huh? Why don't some of you realize how unhinge you sound?
Total BS! I live in Honolulu. UA doesn’t fly non stop from Maui to Newark.
@ Matthew 808 -- Here's the Flightradar24 link for the exact flight she took:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ua441#3dc3f599
Rather than treating the world to her obscene privilege, Gayle should have just quietly fired the assistant that booked her flight and left the rest of us alone.
Surprised she didn’t gloat about the window on her so called “flight into space”.
While I do think this post by Gayle screams of entitlement given her platform, I will say that I'm one of those people that really needs to see out the window on take off and landing. I'm not a nervous or anxious person in any other way, but for my own piece of mind, and in the event of an incident during those two events, I like to know where I am. With that being...
While I do think this post by Gayle screams of entitlement given her platform, I will say that I'm one of those people that really needs to see out the window on take off and landing. I'm not a nervous or anxious person in any other way, but for my own piece of mind, and in the event of an incident during those two events, I like to know where I am. With that being said, perhaps Gayle has a similar issue with knowing her surroundings. Trying to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"peace of mind"?
Whoops!
Today's theme: DYKWIA
I thought she was BFFs with a billionaire who operates a G700? Maybe it was in the shop that day...
Gayle King is an entitled gas bag! Get over it, Gayle!
I'd never heard of this petulant liddle piggy before!
She's been a nationally-broadcast network journalist for decades...
Only because she was so far up HARPO’s A$$ for decades to get the breaks. She is the epitome of being in a position because of who she “knew” not due to talent or knowledge.
Hey @Ben - Gayle apparently didn't realize that including her PNR in that image allows people (including me) to look up the reservation and see her PreCheck number and phone number. Maybe cover that up? Thx!
Tax the rich.
They're already taxed.
Clearly, not enough, Pete.
Tax them at 98%.
Thanks poor people! After the rich are taxed into Bolivian, they’ll come for you.
Idiots.
The ultra-rich can get on their plane, move to the UAE, Monaco, or any other more favourable tax regime, restructure their business, get a new passport, renounce their US citizenship, and live happily ever after. Nonsensical ideas like wealth and inheritance taxes end-up destroying the tax base. It’s happened in Norway, and it’s happening right now in the UK. My brother and SiL left London for southern Italy last year for precisely this reason. Capital,...
The ultra-rich can get on their plane, move to the UAE, Monaco, or any other more favourable tax regime, restructure their business, get a new passport, renounce their US citizenship, and live happily ever after. Nonsensical ideas like wealth and inheritance taxes end-up destroying the tax base. It’s happened in Norway, and it’s happening right now in the UK. My brother and SiL left London for southern Italy last year for precisely this reason. Capital, investments, and company titles are transferable with a few keystrokes on a keyboard these days.
I agree with the frustration here. I fly a lot of United segments and am a 1K and I brace myself whenever I get on a plane that there might be a random missing (or misaligned) window. United doesn't prioritise this, probably because I think in general Americans don't care about windows on planes (most flights, even day flights I'm on, 80% keep the blinds shut through taxi, take off landing). Having said that -...
I agree with the frustration here. I fly a lot of United segments and am a 1K and I brace myself whenever I get on a plane that there might be a random missing (or misaligned) window. United doesn't prioritise this, probably because I think in general Americans don't care about windows on planes (most flights, even day flights I'm on, 80% keep the blinds shut through taxi, take off landing). Having said that - I wish they'd show on their seat maps where the windows are, it'd help a lot. I don't have the time to constantly cross reference different web sites and work out which plane layout I'm on.
I seem to recall that there is a class action suit for this very same issue against UA. I hope the class wins.
Clearly the woman failed to plan, as a consequence, her plan failed. More fool her for then announcing to the world how remiss she has been.
Some people will always look to others so that they can apportion blame to anyone but themselves. She and she alone is responsibility for her own laziness.
@Aero
How did she fail to plan? It says window. Come on man, do better.
Justin, in 2019, Time magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Therefore, one should be able to assume that she possesses a modicum of intelligence.
A failure to fully check all of the booking/seat details, is in my book, a failure to plan. Therefore, it is she who needs to “Do better”.
Aero,
Her booking details said window. What is she supposed to check?
Oh! Justin, please get real ….
The woman should check all of the flight details herself, alternatively, get a minion or booking agent to do so on her behalf. Is that not exactly what any thinking person would do?
On second thoughts …. no, forget it ….
people cant be so dense to not understand that window seat only means its next to the wall
I stopped reading LALF years ago. He can't keep his asinine political perspectives out of his posts.
@ Semperfix, exact same reason for me too. I saw him at LAX one, such a douche. And why his need to photograph himself shirtless and his Ferragamo shoes. Weird dude.
Lucky, do better than Matthew. You're the only one left.
On United mobile boarding passes, for seats such as this, it will say "No Window" in bold letters. I suppose the format for printed boarding passes haven't or can't be updated for those specific seats where there is no window in that particular row.
There's this new fangled thing called the Internet. So if you book a seat on an airplane and not sure of the exact configuration you can go to this fancy thing called an Internet site and find out if there's something concerning about the seat. Or, if you're rich enough you can get one of your underpaid, overworked pleabs/serfs to do it for you. Likely they would know all about this Internet thing.
Thanks for re-educating us, Georgie.
RIP SeatGuru.
It's a valid point. She more than probably had her PA book this whole thing anyway. Got her boarding pass, saw 'window' seat on the BP - and only discovered the lack of window when she boarded.
Poor PA may be looking for an internal CBS transfer.
IMHO, this is akin to a "limited/no recline" seat in economy. The seat map should make it clear. But, if UA wanted to really be transparent, they could add a disclaimer either generally that windows may be mis-aligned and certain seats may not have have a dedicated window, or in the form of a pop-up when the specific seat is selected (like exit rows).
This begs the question: what would you call a windowless outboard seat? Something catchy in marketing parlance like “enhanced shade?”
Not lie-flat, but lean-flat
Well, at least the gate agent allowed her to board before that family in front of her…
When a Global Services member books a windowless 'window' seat, a non-reclining seat, etc. UA should have the foresight to confirm the selection with the member
That's a lot of phone calls/emails. It's not as if either GS members or windowless window-seats are an endangered species. Be careful when you choose your seat. It's on the pax, not the airline.
Naw, Pete. Airline can do a better job disclaiming and warning about it. No need to bootlick for these major companies…
It's a red-eye. There's nothing to see, Gayle.
Had it been a day flight she probably would have had the blinds closed the whole way so she could stare at the TV or her laptop. There's no pleasing some people.
On the Boarding Pass under her seat number it specifically says “window”. Call me old-fashioned, but if a company sells something with a description that an ordinary person would take to have a clear and obvious meaning, not then supplying that is a failing.
Ben is usually a voice of reason, but sneering that the passenger is an FF so should have known better, or that before buying she should have gone to a different...
On the Boarding Pass under her seat number it specifically says “window”. Call me old-fashioned, but if a company sells something with a description that an ordinary person would take to have a clear and obvious meaning, not then supplying that is a failing.
Ben is usually a voice of reason, but sneering that the passenger is an FF so should have known better, or that before buying she should have gone to a different website to check out whether a purportedly respectable company was lying to her, strikes me as unreasonable.
Absolutely. Airlines should disclose this, and they're being deceptive when they don't. Saying "you could have checked aerolopa" is victim-blaming.
I'm surprised that OGG-EWR is back. I thought it's gone for good. Is it just once-weekly service operating on Saturdays?
On the window itself... I prefer windowless seats on night flights - would've been more of an issue on the long day flight in the other direction...
I was surprised as well, UA launched the route during covid and cancelled it quickly once there was demand for widebodies to Europe again.
Looks like they have just a couple Saturday departures around Xmas/new Year's and that's it.
She should have flown on Delta instead because that is the best airline in the world and all their seats have windows. Even aisle and middle seat have windows.
Huh, ‘Pedro’ is an odd way to spell ‘Tim’…
“C’mon @united! The flight attendant agreed it was NOT a window seat. He said he had never seen anything like this”
The FA had never seen anything like…. this seat that is on the plane every single time it flies???
Lmao
As I said over at LALF, United’s 787 is better than their 763 which is better than their 2-4-2 rear-facing 772 which is better than a 737 with a recliner which is better than the last-row middle-seat in Economy near the lavatory. It’s all about expectations and how we react.