Could A320 be certified for more then 180 passengers?

[keesje]

Airlines like Easyjet are pressuring Airbus to move closer to 200 seats on the A320

The A320 is now certified for 180 seats. What would be restrictions going above that? E.g. 182 seats, removing some galley space?

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/a320/a320_seat_map_01.gif

[flyboyike]

I think Spirit Airlines crams something like 297 pax into their A320s, then they charge a breathing fee.

[keesje]

Seatguru says Spirit seats 218 passenger in their A320.

They are wrong. Spirit has 29 row of 6 seats + 4 = 178

http://cdn.seatguru.com/en_US/img/427/seatguru/airlines_new/Spirit_Airlines/Spirit_Airlines_Airbus_A320.jpg

It seems Spirit is pushing it with flat seats and 28 inch pitch, no recline. They call them "Deluxe Leather" seats.

The 4 big front seats could be 6, making it a 180 seater.

They have a big galley and lavatories in the back. Could they add 3 or 4 seats? Are there enough exits?

[NigelOnDraft]

The A320 is now certified for 180 seats. What would be restrictions going above that? E.g. 182 seats, removing some galley space?Limiting factor will often be the certification evacuation test. If that was done with 180, I believe it will need to be done again (successfully) to carry more...

[matkat]

Depends on the type certificate as this will state the maximum allowable PAX they can pressure Airbus as much as they like but the NAA will have the final say.

[rog747]

the a319 pax max with the normal build 2 overwing exits is 144 in high density but
EZY gets 156 in theirs with an extra pair of o/w exits
Germania 150 (4 o/w)


the a320 max config is pegged at 180 pax (certificated max, 4 type 111 o/w exits) and will have to stay like that

EZY's new order for a320neo for 192 pax is conditional ? that Airbus can do the ness mods (wider doors?) to get the 192 seater certified

why do you wonder the 737-800 with similar exit arrangement can seat 189?

i do not know is the answer, save that 737NG has hinged upward opening o/w exits...does that make a difference in pax no. certification ?

the Airbus 320 series has escape slides inflating over the back of the wing but
the exit hatch has to be thrown out



as an side, i do not know if EZYjet can or would push to get their own mod certified through AB and EASA/CAA for their current fleet a320's to increase up from 180 pax to 192?

Dan Air in the 1970's bought 727-46's from JAL which had a max of 130 pax with the exits as-built and cert'd.

Dan Air got a mod through by adding 2 x type 1 doors in front of the engines (like a 727-200) to increase pax to 146