• Airlines are accepting brand-new Airbus A321neos with a known manufacturing defect.
• The defect requires a 9-day repair within 2 years of entering service.
• Airbus covers the direct financial cost of the technical repair.
• Airlines prioritize immediate fleet capacity over flawless factory handovers.

This development may indicate a shift in the balance of power between airlines and manufacturers, with carriers accepting defects to maintain fleet capacity. The willingness to accept imperfect aircraft suggests that airlines are prioritizing short-term operational needs over long-term quality concerns, which could have implications for the industry's approach to quality control and maintenance.