Finnair is replacing approximately 1,700 seat covers across eight of its Airbus A321 aircraft to ensure full compliance with all fire safety requirements.
On Monday, 13 October, Finnair temporarily suspended operations of these aircraft after being informed by the manufacturer of the original seat covers that the impact of washing on the fire protection properties had not been verified in the required manner.
The affected seat covers were manufactured by a long-standing Finnair partner based on specifications provided by the original seat manufacturer. The covers have been maintained in accordance with the information provided by the original seat manufacturer, and washing is a standard cleaning method used across Finnair’s fleet.
Finnair has begun installing new seat covers, sourced from multiple suppliers, to enable the aircraft to return to service. The first aircraft has already resumed operations, and six of the eight aircraft are expected to be back in service within a week. All eight are expected to return to operation by the end of October.
As a result of this temporary suspension, Finnair has had to cancel approximately 70 flights since 13 October, affecting around 11,000 customers. To minimize disruption, Finnair has leased two aircraft with crew to operate part of its network. However, some individual flight cancellations, overbookings, or changes in operating airline may still occur until the full A321 fleet is back in service. Finnair will contact affected customers directly regarding any changes to their travel plans.
“Safety is always our top priority,” said [Spokesperson Name], [Title] at Finnair. “We are acting proactively to ensure our fleet meets the highest standards, and we appreciate our customers’ understanding as we complete these necessary replacements.”
Finnair expects to restore its full operational capacity by the end of October.
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