The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved an increase in the maximum passenger capacity of the Airbus A330-900 from 465 to 480 seats. The certification update allows the largest member of the A330neo family to accommodate 15 additional passengers.
According to EASA’s type certificate update dated October 30, 2026, the capacity increase is made possible by technical modifications to the aircraft’s emergency exit and evacuation systems. Under the revised specifications, improved evacuation slides and life rafts will enable the aircraft to accommodate up to 480 passengers in certain emergency exit configurations.
Aircraft equipped with four pairs of Type A+ emergency exits will be permitted to carry up to 480 passengers, while a different emergency exit configuration will have a maximum capacity of 470 seats. Airlines wishing to implement the higher seating limits must ensure their aircraft meet the necessary technical and certification requirements.
Meanwhile, Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is among the airlines operating the Airbus A330-900 in a high-density cabin configuration. The airline’s A330-900 aircraft currently accommodate 459 passengers in an all-economy layout with a 3-3-3 seating arrangement.
The new certification standards could provide airlines operating high-density Airbus A330-900 aircraft with greater flexibility to increase passenger capacity using their existing fleets.
