In Short: The Differences Between The
The ultimate Boeing 737 MAX question is always, 'is it safe now? '. The answer to that is a resounding yes. The plane has been described as one of the most scrutinized aircraft in aviation history, with authorities like the FAA, EASA, and many more taking a very close look at the plane.
The 737 MAX is based on earlier 737 designs, with more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines, aerodynamic changes, including distinctive split-tip (Scimitar) winglets, and airframe modifications.
The single-aisle market benefits from the Boeing 737 MAX's increased efficiency, improved environmental performance, and increased passenger comfort. The type delivers outstanding economics, decreasing fuel use and pollutants by 20% while producing a 50% smaller noise footprint than the aircraft it replaces.
In terms of range, the smallest Boeing 737 MAX can travel the furthest of the three. The MAX 7 has a range of 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers), while the MAX 8 and 9 have a slightly lower range of 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers).
The MAX airplane has been “recertified” by the FAA, and more than 900 of these planes are now flying around the world. Alarmingly, one U.S. airline with 35 new MAX planes delivered in 2021-22 submitted a whopping 425 malfunction reports in the past year alone. Even more alarming than the quantity is the content.
The move away from the MAX name has been a subtle process and Boeing has begun to use the name 737 MAX and 737-8(7 through 10) interchangeably. This way they are transitioning away from the MAX name toward the normal naming convention of modern Boeing aircraft.
Nearly 1,000 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are currently active across the skies.
After both accidents, the flight-data recordings indicated that the immediate culprit was a sensor failure tied to a new and obscure control function that was unique to the 737 Max: the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
Its success lies in its flexibility and compromise. It doesn't have the longest range or the highest passenger capacity on the market, but its compromise between the two has made it an excellent all-round choice for airlines.
The easiest way to find out your aircraft type is to check while booking. Airlines usually include the type operating a route while selling the ticket, so take a look at the 'more information. ' Similarly, you'll see the plane you're flying in your app or manage booking after the reservation as well.
The crash rate (crashes per million flight miles) of the 737 Max is 44 times higher than that of the 737-600/700/800/900 series.
Seating. Both variants feature a similar number of seats. Although exact seat count can vary somewhat depending on the airline's chosen configuration, Boeing states that 737-800s seat 162-189 passengers, while the 737 Max 8 can seat between 162-210 passengers (210 seats are possible only with the MAX 8-200 variant).
Boeing has told a US court it was not guilty of concealing information about flight control systems on its 737 Max aircraft, which led to two crashes, killing 346 people. Flaws in the systems were found to have led to the accidents, but Boeing avoided a trial by agreeing to pay $2.5bn (£1.8bn).
FAA clears Boeing 737 Max for safe return to service
In January 2023, it was reported that the Boeing 737 Max had passed its safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA had been conducting a review of the aircraft's safety since its reintroduction in 2020.
November 26, the FAA revoked Boeing's Organization Designation Authorization to issue airworthiness certificates for individual MAX airplanes. December 17, Boeing confirmed the suspension of 737 MAX production from January 2020.
“The 737 MAX fleet has operated for 1.8 million flight hours – about 800,000 flights – since November 2020. Fleet reliability is above 99.5% - that is actually where the Next-Generation 737 was at, so it's on par with the airplane it's replaced.” Schedule reliability of 99.5% is an impressive number indeed.
The FAA ultimately grounded the MAX on March 13, 2019 and lifted the flight prohibition order in November 2020 after Boeing made a series of software upgrades and training changes.
Boeing said it has discovered a manufacturing issue with some 737 Max aircraft, although it insisted the problem is not “an immediate safety of flight issue.” A supplier used a “non-standard manufacturing process” during the installation of two fittings in the rear fuselage, Boeing said in a statement to CNN.
Boeing shares have tumbled more than 6% after the US plane-maker disclosed a manufacturing issue affecting its 737 Max planes. The aviation giant said a supplier had revealed that the installation of fittings on the rear of the planes did not follow the standard.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is a new plane that had its first flight in January 2016. Despite its short time on the market, the MAX 8 has been involved in two tragedies in fewer than five months: the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 10, 2019, and the Lion Air Flight JT 610 crash on Oct. 29, 2018.
Utilizing the International Civil Aviation Organization safety occurrence data, from 2008 to 2019, these aircraft were compared in terms of occurrence type, occurrence category, phase of flight, injury level, and fatalities. It was found that Boeing had more accidents than expected, while Airbus had less (p = 0.015).
On May 11th, US carrier Southwest Airlines took delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8. While the airline has been taking new aircraft every week, the delivery this past Thursday took its MAX 8 fleet size to 175 aircraft.
In MAX, the latest construction solutions have been combined with technology proven in Dreamliner aircraft. New engines are quieter and more efficient, giving MAX longer range and lower environmental impact. MAX has better aerodynamics than its predecessors.