A vehicle seat assembly includes a trim cover defining an outside surface of the seat assembly, and including a frangible portion extending along a length of the trim cover. An airbag assembly includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag. An airbag housing includes a frangible portion along a side of the airbag housing that is generally aligned with the frangible portion of the trim cover. A tear strip is attached to the trim cover and spans the frangible portion of the trim cover to inhibit separation of the frangible portion of the trim cover prior to deployment of the airbag. The tear strip extends along at least some of the length of the frangible portion of the trim cover, and is configured to separate during deployment of the airbag to facilitate deployment of the airbag through the frangible portion of the trim cover.