Business-class fliers love sliding doors — but they’re causing a nuisance for airlines and planemakers
Airlines are competing for the fanciest business class following the boom in premium travel, but new suites require rigorous certification testing.
Premium business-class travel has surged, leading airlines to invest in luxurious seats. However, these new designs are causing headaches for airlines and manufacturers. Sliding doors, initially introduced by Emirates, are now standard in business class. But regulators must certify these doors to ensure they won't impede passengers during an evacuation.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines recently debuted planes with 64 and 53 business-class suites respectively, but certification delays have left planes with empty cabins or locked doors. American Airlines faced a seven-month delay before locking its sliding doors, while Lufthansa's Allegris suites have only four usable seats due to certification issues. Air India's new 787 business class also has its doors locked open.
This bottleneck is not just a nuisance for airlines; it's also a safety concern for manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. The company's CEO highlighted that the delays are affecting deliveries more than production, as they can still build planes without sending them to customers. Despite progress, seat certification remains a significant challenge, with airlines striving to create unique business-class experiences.
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