Company receives dual FAA certifications for Air Canada’s A320 and A321 cabin retrofit
ST Engineering has secured two Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the installation of Air Canada’s new cabin interiors on its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, marking another milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
The dual FAA certifications cover the integration of redesigned cabin interiors across Air Canada’s narrow-body fleet, enabling the airline to introduce an upgraded passenger experience featuring new seats, enhanced cabin monuments, refurbished lavatories and modernised flight attendant seating.
According to ST Engineering, the project was executed in close collaboration with Air Canada, with engineering, design, certification and programme management teams working together to develop and certify the new cabin configuration while ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.
The company also highlighted the successful delivery of prototype aircraft across three separate locations within five months, demonstrating effective coordination between multiple engineering and certification teams.
Commenting on the achievement, ST Engineering said the certification reflects the expertise of its engineering, certification and programme teams and reinforces its long-standing collaboration with Air Canada in delivering complex aircraft cabin modification programmes.
The newly certified cabin configuration is expected to enhance passenger comfort while supporting Air Canada’s fleet modernisation strategy through improved cabin aesthetics and functionality.
The award of the FAA Supplemental Type Certificates underscores the growing importance of engineering-led aircraft modification programmes within the global MRO industry. As airlines continue investing in cabin upgrades to enhance passenger experience and extend the operational life of existing fleets, certified retrofit solutions are becoming an increasingly significant segment of the aftermarket.
Projects involving cabin reconfiguration require close coordination between engineering, certification authorities, airlines and modification specialists to ensure structural integrity, regulatory compliance and minimal aircraft downtime. ST Engineering’s ability to achieve dual FAA certification and deliver prototype aircraft within a compressed five-month timeline highlights the increasing demand for integrated design, certification and modification capabilities in the aircraft interiors and maintenance sector.
The programme also reflects a broader industry trend where cabin retrofits are evolving beyond cosmetic upgrades, becoming strategic investments that improve operational efficiency, passenger satisfaction and long-term fleet value.
