Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Finnair Grounds Eight A321 Jets Over Seat-Cover Safety Concerns, Cancels 40 Flights

Inspections follow a manufacturer warning that water washing of seat fabrics lacks verified fire protection.

Overview

  • Operations of eight A321s were halted for extra checks, and the airline has not provided a return-to-service timeline.
  • Roughly 40 flights were canceled from Monday evening through Tuesday, affecting about 5,000 passengers, with additional cancellations on Wednesday.
  • Selected routes will be flown by partner DAT LT starting October 15 to reduce disruption, according to Finnair.
  • Finnair says the water-wash method had been used previously and states it follows manufacturer instructions and regulatory guidance.
  • EU EC 261/2004 rules apply for affected travelers, including rebooking, duty of care and potential cash compensation; reports say the issue is limited to eight A321s with a distinct seating setup and materials.