Passengers are unable to purchase the seats at the back of the A320neo
BRITISH Airways and German airline Lufthansa are keeping rows of seats empty at the back of some of their planes due to safety concerns.
A new report has found, due to the addition of more seats on the Airbus A320neo, the aircraft could be too heavy at the back with passengers.
The safety concerns were raised in a July European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) report.
In the document, it claims the new aircraft could struggle to pull up during an aborted landing because of the uneven weight.
This is due to the addition of the “Space Flex” interior of the aircraft, which moves a toilet cubicle further back and adds the extra rows of seating.
The additional seats and bathroom being pushed further back in the plane would then affect the centre of gravity of the aircraft.
The new interior option for the A320neo adds an additional row of seats at the back
The document claims: “Analysis and laboratory testing of the behaviour of the flight control laws of the A320neo identified a reduced efficiency of the angle of attack protection when the aeroplane is set in certain flight configurations and in combination with specific manoeuvres commanded by the flight crew.”
While the document confirmed that the condition was “never encountered during operations,” it was still deemed a “potential unsafe condition”.
This has resulted in the airlines blocking the sale of the seats on the A320neo, according to travel website Head for Points.
Not only are passengers not able to book the seats with British Airways or Lufthansa, but cabin crew will also warn passengers that they are not able to move there during the flight.
Even the airline’s own staff won’t be able to sit in these seats.
Around 50 airlines are currently operating the A320neo, but only those that have opted for the “Space Flex” configuration would be affected.
It hasn’t been confirmed whether other airlines will also prevent passengers sitting in the back rows.
A British Airways spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “Like all airlines around the world, we work closely with regulators to ensure the safety of our fleet and fully comply with all recommendations.”
Lufthansa confirmed in a statement: “Lufthansa will block the last row of seats on all of its 20 A320neo aircraft. As of 12 September, row 32 will therefore no longer be assigned to passengers – not even to staff travelling with ID tickets.”
A new plane cabin design hopes to make the middle seat more desirable, by making it wider and further back than the aisle or the window option.
Experts claim sitting at the back of the plane gets you better service, as passengers can request additional items without other travellers being made aware.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Airbus for comment.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/9943196/british-airways-lufthansa-seats-empty-safety/
