FAA mandates seat fixes on 453 Boeing 737 MAX jets

The US Federal Aviation Administration has proposed an airworthiness directive requiring repairs on faulty seats in 453 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agency warned that incorrectly installed seat assemblies could injure passengers during an emergency landing or block evacuation. Each plane may have up to 69 affected assemblies, with repairs estimated at one hour per assembly. Boeing issued guidance on the issue in December 2025 and supports making it mandatory.