- The US FAA issued a proposed airworthiness directive for incorrectly installed seats on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets registered in the US, affecting 453 aircraft.
- If not fixed, the seats could injure passengers and crew during an emergency landing or block the aisle, slowing evacuation.
- The directive follows production quality issues revealed in early 2024 when a door-plug panel blew out on an Alaska Air 737 MAX in flight.
- Each 737 MAX plane has up to 69 track-mounted passenger seat assemblies; fixing each takes about one hour with no parts needed.
- Boeing issued guidance on the issue in December 2025 and supports making it mandatory.