Apple support article #ts2948:
Learn what you can do if you experience one or more of these issues with the hinges on your MacBook Air.
• Unable to close lid completely.
• Broken or cracked plastic near one or both of the hinges.
• More than one inch (2.54cm) of free play while opening or closing the lid.
• Lid falls freely into closed position from a 30-degree open position. (From a closed position, open the lid approximately 30 degrees and let go.)
You can take your MacBook Air to an Apple-Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for evaluation and repair if necessary, even if your product is out of warranty.
If you previously paid for a repair for hinge-related issues that were not caused by accidental damage, you may be eligible for a refund. Contact Apple for more information.
This is a 180-degree change from the old policy, which marked any hinge issues as accidental damage, despite claims that the hinge on the first-generation MacBook Air suffered from a design flaw that could lead to a catastrophic failure of the hardware. This is a good move on the company’s part.