A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
We were flying an Airbus 321. Upon arrival; the extra Flight Attendant stated that she believed the aircraft passenger seating in coach class on the right side of the aircraft were incorrectly installed. She stated that the actual locations of the passenger seats interfered with her ability to arm; disarm and potentially operate the 3R emergency exit door; in the event of an actual emergency. I reported this to Maintenance and completed a discrepancy write-up in the aircraft maintenance logbook. Maintenance confirmed the seating was incorrectly installed and removed the aircraft from service. Evidently; the aircraft passenger seats were incorrectly installed [during] heavy maintenance.
A pilot was notified after the flight that a Flight Attendant had noticed that the passenger seat location interfered with the arming and disarming of the emergency exit door. Maintenance personnel confirmed that seats had been incorrectly installed and required repositioning.