Originally Posted by
CPH-Flyer
How does the cabin fitting delay first engine start and taxi under own power? Some of the initial test flights should be possible without cabin fittings? Considering that some airlines get planes without a line fit, they should be able to even complete flight testing without the interiors, yet the JAL planes remain on the ground....
I believe cabin furnishing and ground testing is usually done in the same station at the same time. I'd imagine airlines choosing to not get a line fit do so as part of the order and it's possible Airbus isn't equipped or doesn't want a frame to go through the same station twice and take up extra time/resources. At this point, it's likely just better for everyone to delay a bit instead of Airbus delivering without interior and JAL finding a place that can install the interior on short notice while managing the logistics of getting all the parts from TLS to whoever is going to do the install.