What Happened
Certification Delays Force Temporary Workarounds For Premium Cabins
Major airlines, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, and KLM, are operating new business class suites with doors locked open due to certification delays. The issue stems from regulators adapting decades-old cabin safety rules to modern premium cabins, which feature sliding privacy doors, high-walled suites, and complex layouts. Airlines have found temporary workarounds, such as locking doors open or disabling them, to prevent delays in aircraft deliveries. According to Simple Flying, the certification process is changing alongside premium aviation, with regulators collaborating with airlines and seat manufacturers to identify challenges earlier in product development.