Airbus can put angled seats in planes, but only if they pass new crash tests

The US aviation regulator is proposing new safety rules for a specific type of angled airplane seat. This means Airbus can install single-occupant seats at a 49-degree angle, but only if they include airbags and special seatbelts that meet new dynamic crash test standards.

Airplane manufacturers want to fit more seats into cabins, and angling them is one way to do it. Until now, safety rules did not cover these unusual seat angles, which meant they could not be used. This change creates a path for new cabin layouts, potentially allowing airlines to carry more passengers on the same planes.