HAECO proposes mini-suite installation for MAX 8

Another airline plans to install lie-flat beds for premium passengers on its 737-8 fleet. HAECO has requested permission from the US Department of Transportation to modify the cabin configuration on the 737 MAX 8 for an unnamed customer with “mini-suites” on board.

A typical mini-suite consists of a seat, an ottoman, and personal stowage units. Mini-suites provide additional comfort, convenience and privacy for the passenger. Each mini- suite consists of sliding doors and partial height partitions that surrounds the seat.

– HAECO’s DOT filing

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The proposed layout would include 10 premiums seats on board. That is a relatively small premium cabin. But it also provides a balance between the cabin space required for the lie-flat beds and total seating space available on the MAX 8.

The DOT waiver is required because the design – placing doors within the cabin – creates a potential impediment to emergency evacuation. This also means HAECO must justify the design as serving the public interest. The application contorts itself to convince the DOT that delivering the more premium design on a 737 MAX is necessary to avoid creation of an “unfair competitive advantage to foreign modifiers in this market.”

HAECO also suggests the mini-suite installation will lower fares because premium passengers can be charged more, offsetting the need to raise prices on economy tickets. And the application further argues that the public interest is served because allowing the configuration will lead to the sale of more 737 MAX 8 aircraft and “improves operators’ economic health, which ultimately benefits the flying public.”

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Putting aside the amusing arguments about public benefits for the design, there’s no reason to believe the DOT will not approve this request. Similar offerings have been approved on several prior iterations and the HAECO version does not appear to present any new challenges that would justify the DOT blocking the request.