Boeing 737 MAX seat inspections proposed for 453 US jets
The FAA says seats on 453 US-registered Boeing 737 MAX jets may have been installed incorrectly, posing evacuation risks.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed Boeing 737 MAX seat inspections for 453 aircraft registered in the United States after warning that some seats may have been fitted incorrectly. The issue matters because improperly installed seats could move during an emergency landing, creating injury and evacuation risks, according to the FAA.
The FAA said Monday that airlines would be required to inspect the affected seats under the proposed order. The agency said seats that are not installed correctly could come loose, hurt passengers or crew, obstruct an aisle and delay an evacuation.
Which Boeing 737 MAX planes need seat inspections?
The FAA proposal covers 453 US-registered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agency’s order would not apply directly to foreign-registered planes because the FAA regulates US aircraft and operators, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.
Regulators outside the United States often use FAA actions as a model when a safety issue involves aircraft operating in their markets. The report did not identify specific airlines or say how many seats on each plane may need checks.
Boeing told Reuters that it had already sent operators guidance on the seat issue in December 2025. A company spokesperson said Boeing supports the FAA’s move to make that guidance mandatory.
What is the safety concern?
A seat installation problem can become more serious during an emergency landing, when passengers and crew may be exposed to sudden forces and a fast evacuation may be needed. The FAA said a loose seat could injure people and block movement through the cabin.
The warning comes as Boeing remains under close safety scrutiny. In January 2024, a cabin panel blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, forcing an emergency landing and leading the FAA to ground 171 aircraft, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Investigators later found that four key bolts were missing from the panel involved in that incident. In June 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board said Boeing had not provided enough training, guidance and oversight to prevent the Alaska Airlines blowout.
Boeing has also faced wider attention after other accidents involving its aircraft around the world and after the death of whistleblower John Barnett in March 2024 while he was giving evidence in a safety lawsuit against the company, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.
Aviation advisory and intelligence firm IBA says nearly 2,300 Boeing 737 MAX jets are in service worldwide, including 823 in the United States. The FAA’s current proposal covers a little more than half of the US-registered MAX fleet identified by IBA.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.