The Morning After: United Airlines grounded its new Airbus fleet over 'no smoking' signs

United Airlines had to ground its new Airbus A321neo planes, not due to a major safety issue, but because the light-up "no smoking" signs are automated. A 1990 ruling mandates that the signs on aircraft must be manually operated by the crew. Airbus A321neo features software that automatically displays the signage during a flight, so the crew doesn't switch it on and off. Bear in mind that smoking was fully banned from both domestic and international flights nearly 25 years ago. Even more frustratingly, automated signage systems are not even new. Many air travel companies apply for exemptions with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) – which United did for its entire fleet back in 2020.