Yes, the Boeing 737 MAX is still being used and is back in commercial service globally after being cleared by aviation authorities (like the FAA in the US, EASA in Europe, etc.) following grounding due to fatal crashes, though it faced renewed scrutiny after a 2024 incident that temporarily halted some MAX 9s, leading to stricter quality control and production caps on Boeing by the FAA. Many airlines fly it, but some, like Qantas, Emirates, Qatar Airways, do not operate the MAX variant.
In November 2020, the FAA announced that it had cleared the 737 MAX to return to service. Various system, maintenance and training requirements are stipulated, as well as design changes that must be implemented on each aircraft before the FAA issues an airworthiness certificate, without delegation to Boeing.
Hong Kong: The Civil Aviation Department banned the operation of all 737 MAX aircraft into, out of and over Hong Kong. Panama: The Civil Aviation Authority grounded its aircraft. Vietnam: The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam banned Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from flying over Vietnam.
United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have the most 737 MAX 9 airplanes in their fleet.
Virgin Australia and fledgling budget startup Bonza currently operate the Max 8 aircraft, and are expecting to take delivery of more in coming months and years as airlines look to become more fuel-efficient for cost and environmental reasons. Bonza has six planes in its fleet, all of which are Max 8 aircraft.
How to Avoid Flying a MAX Airplane
After manufacturing issues led to two incidents in 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded across the world.
There's no definitive answer—it depends on the pilot's personality, training, and priorities. Some pilots may find Airbus's side-stick and automation more comfortable, while others may prefer the tactile control and familiarity of Boeing's yoke. Both designs represent decades of innovation and safety-first thinking.
The 10 most dangerous aircraft ever made
In contrast, the original Boeing 737 models, which were in service for 12-13 years, account for approximately 63% of all fatal accidents in the 737 series.
The most obvious tip for identifying a 737MAX, by far, is the new Advanced Technology (AT) winglet. The 737MAX was the first Boeing narrowbody family to be designed with winglets, and the new AT winglet is the most fuel efficient winglet ever installed on an aircraft.
✈️ Full-Service Airlines (No 737 MAX in Operation)
The aircraft used by Singapore Airlines is a 737 MAX 8 aircraft registered as 9V-MBC. The aircraft is 3.97 years old, having first flown on December 6th, 2017.
On the Boeing 737 MAX 8, 12A and 12F are the ones to avoid. We also find this problem with easyJet. If you're flying on their Airbus A320, seat 31A is the one to avoid; 31F might also not have a window, depending on the layout. Unfortunately, you can also encounter this problem on long-haul flights.
Boeing's 2024–2025 Project Delays: Impact and Key Numbers
Boeing's goal in 2025 was to deliver 610 aircraft, but the company is now expected to deliver only 530, a shortfall of nearly 80 units. This downgrade stems from disruptions in the supply chain and persistent production challenges.
Can an Airbus pilot fly a Boeing plane too (or vice versa)? John Chesire, former airline pilot, explains on Quora; 'Well yes, of course they can. However moving from one to the other – as in any significantly different aircraft – requires some serious ground school and simulator training to learn the differences.
According to the AirAdvisor Airline Safety Score, Allegiant, American, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines are all the safest. Each had a perfect accident record in 2023 and 2024 with no reported incidents based on data from IATA.
The deaths of Barnett and Dean prompted more than 10 new whistleblowers from Boeing and Spirit to come forward with similar allegations.
FAA spokesperson Tammy Jones told KOIN 6 News that passengers can simply check their ticket or booking information through an airline's website or app. The type of plane should be listed under “plane type” or “aircraft details.” If the plane is a 737 Max 9, the words “737 Max 9” should appear under the flight details.
'I want to get off the plane. ' The passengers refusing to fly on Boeing's 737 Max. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was grounded for 20 months following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 in March 2019. Ed Pierson was flying from Seattle to New Jersey in 2023, when he ended up boarding a plane he'd never wanted to fly on.
We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Boeing, a Pacific Northwest neighbor and a company that stands as a symbol of American innovation and manufacturing.” This order brings Alaska's total orderbook with Boeing to 245 aircraft, in addition to the 94 MAX aircraft we're operating today.