The Federal Aviation Administration’s certification delays for sliding doors in business-class cabins have forced airlines to ground planes or fly with seats unusable for months, disrupting schedules and revenue streams.
American Airlines and United Airlines have both faced seven-month delays in securing FAA approval for sliding doors on their newest aircraft, leaving planes inoperable or operating with locked doors. American Airlines’ Airbus A321XLR, introduced in December, could not use its business-class sliding doors until July. United Airlines’ Boeing 787-9, featuring Polaris suites with similar doors, received certification in April—seven months after its debut.
The issue stems from regulators’ concerns that sliding doors could obstruct emergency evacuations. While sliding doors became standard in business class after Emirates introduced them in 2003, their certification has become increasingly complex. Sascha Manitz, a sales director at Elevate Aircraft Seating (a Boeing subsidiary), told reporters at the Farnborough Airshow in July that manufacturers are struggling to meet shifting regulatory standards. "They all have exactly this same door design, and we're still struggling every time to get them certified," Manitz said. "It seems like the goalposts are moving all the time."
Airlines are investing heavily in premium cabins to attract high-paying travelers. United Airlines debuted an aircraft with 64 business-class seats in April, while Delta Air Lines plans to introduce its Airbus A350-1000 next year with 53 business-class suites. However, certification delays have left some planes stranded at factories or flown with business-class sections inaccessible.
The FAA’s rigorous testing process requires manufacturers to prove that sliding doors do not impede passenger movement during emergencies. This includes simulations of rapid evacuations, where every second counts. The delays have created a bottleneck, with airlines and seat manufacturers unable to finalize deliveries or revenue-generating configurations. Some planes have been flown with doors locked open or seats removed entirely to comply with interim regulations.
Industry experts warn that the certification backlog could worsen as more airlines adopt sliding doors in response to passenger demand for privacy and luxury. The FAA has not provided a timeline for resolving the issue, leaving manufacturers and airlines in limbo.