The FAA has mandated a seat frame retrofit on Bombardier Globals. The new airworthiness directive was published in the Federal Register today. It becomes effective on 20 July 2026.
The directive covers Bombardier Models BD-700-1A10, BD-700-1A11 and BD-700-2A12. Those designations span the Global Express family, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global 7500 and Global 8000. The applicability is by specific serial number, not by full fleet. Affected 1A10 and 1A11 units fall between serial 60006 and 60039. Affected 2A12 units fall between serial 70032 and 70069.
Transport Canada flagged the unsafe condition first. Supplier disclosure letters confirmed certain seat frame assemblies had been built without applying Loctite on non-locking fastener joints. Two critical sub-systems are affected: the seat belt anchor point restraining mechanism and the back rest locking sub-system. Loss of structural joint integrity could reduce the restraint system's ability to protect occupants. Transport Canada issued AD CF-2025-41 on 3 September 2025.
The FAA AD requires modification of the non-locking fastener joints on each affected seat frame. The work includes applying Loctite and installing new hardware. The agency estimates 34 work-hours per airplane at its assumed labour rate of $85, with parts adding a further $134. Per-airplane cost works out at up to $3,024. About 42 US-registered Globals are in scope.
The FAA aligns the US position with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-41, the original state-of-design directive. The Canadian compliance window was set at 10 months from the 3 September 2025 effective date. Owners of in-scope aircraft should book the modification at an authorised Bombardier service centre well before the 20 July effective date. The work targets lounge and crew rest seats, features more typical of the larger Global 7500 and 8000 cabin layouts than of the smaller fleet variants.
Source: FAA AD 2026-11976, Federal Register, 15 June 2026; Transport Canada CF-2025-41, 3 September 2025.