FAA: sideways facing seats Boeing MAX 10 could pose safety hazard

UPDATE – The FAA has released an additional set of special conditions for sideways-facing seats on the Boeing MAX 10. The document, which is open for comment until September 29, identifies new safety hazards to passengers from recent research. Additional safety measures might be considered. FAA: sideways facing seats Boeing MAX 10 could pose safety hazard.

In recent years, the FAA has filed various special conditions for oblique seats, including that for the Boeing 787 and Airbus A321neo with Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF)

configuration. In January 2019, Boeing requested a change of the type certificate of the MAX 10 to install side-facing seats at an angle of 49 degrees to the centerline. This arrangement is in use on some Boeing 787s, but the special conditions for this aircraft no longer apply as the criteria were changed in July 2018.

Today’s filing follows an application from Boeing in October last year for another change of the type certificate for oblique seats in the MAX 10, this time positioned at a different angle. “These oblique seats may be installed at an angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the aircraft centerline and may include a 3-point restraint system and/or airbags, for occupant restraint and injury protection,” the FAA document says.