United Airlines faces seat installation issues for Boeing 737 MAX 10

United Airlines is facing a logistical challenge regarding hundreds of lie-flat business class seats intended for the Boeing 737 MAX 10. The aircraft, which United was set to receive as a launch customer starting in 2020, remains uncertified.

CEO Scott Kirby stated that the airline currently has a surplus of these seats that cannot be installed on other aircraft types. Beyond the certification delays, a report from AirInsight suggests a potential structural issue: the floor beams of the 737 MAX 10 may be unable to support the weight and mounting loads required for the planned premium cabin.

United originally planned to use these seats to replace Boeing 757s on long-haul domestic routes, such as Newark to Los Angeles, with a configuration featuring approximately 22 direct aisle access seats per plane.