Yes, the core issues that led to the Boeing 737 MAX groundings (MCAS software and pilot training) were addressed and fixed with regulatory approval, allowing it back into service, but recent quality control lapses (like the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout) have highlighted ongoing systemic production quality concerns, suggesting that while the design issues are largely resolved, the safety culture and manufacturing processes still require significant overhaul.
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.
After a lengthy investigation into the crashes and changes to the design and software, the FAA, EASA and Civil Aviation Authority in the UK deemed Boeing 737 Max jets to be safe to re-enter service.
January 9, 2024
Every Boeing 737-9 MAX with a plug door will remain grounded until the FAA finds each can safely return to operation. To begin this process, Boeing must provide instructions to operators for inspections and maintenance.
Boeing is developing a new single-aisle airplane to succeed the 737 MAX, aiming to regain market share lost to Airbus. CEO Kelly Ortberg met with Rolls-Royce Holdings to discuss a new engine, which could offer a 10% to 20% fuel efficiency improvement.
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.
If you are now scheduled on a MAX, call the airline and tell them you want to be rebooked on another flight. Some airlines will allow you to do this at no cost, whereas others might charge a fee. If they insist on charging a fee, then we recommend you escalate your complaint to a more senior airline employee.
Details: A nearly NEW Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff, killing all 189 people on board. The crash was attributed to issues with the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and faulty sensor data.
🛫 What Makes the 737 MAX Controversial? The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded globally in 2019 following two accidents linked to a flight control system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).
All 802 of Southwest's planes are some kind of 737 model. At least half of the planes in the current fleets for American Airlines, United, and Alaska Airlines are made by Boeing. There are five major airlines that do not have any Boeing planes in their fleets: JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze.
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.
At first glance, they look similar, but here's what sets them apart: 🔹 Engines – The 737 MAX 8 has larger, more fuel- efficient LEAP-1B engines with serrated edges (chevrons), while the 737-800 uses smaller CFM56-7B engines.
Two fatal accidents, Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, led to the global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet from March 2019 to November 2020.
Yes, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is considered safe by global aviation regulators, having been re-certified after significant software and design fixes, mandatory pilot training updates, and extensive testing, though some passengers still choose to avoid it for personal peace of mind. The fixes addressed the MCAS software, ensuring pilots have ultimate control and the system activates less frequently with more reliable sensor data, making it safer than before, according to Boeing and Singapore Airlines.
Boeing won't face criminal charge over 737 Max crashes As part of a deal to dismiss the case, Boeing agreed to pay or invest an additional $1.1 billion in fines, compensation for the crash victims' families, and internal safety and quality measures.
According to rankings as of October 2023, which may not reflect crashes since then, American Airlines and Air France are tied for the most airplane crashes globally, with 11. China Airlines and Korean Air both have nine, while Pakistan International Airlines has eight, and United Airlines has seven.
The FAA began requiring all MAX pilots to undergo MCAS-related training in flight simulators by 2021.
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.
The 3:1 rule in aviation is a rule of thumb for descent planning: for every 1,000 feet of altitude to lose, you need 3 nautical miles (NM) of horizontal distance, assuming a standard 3-degree glide path, making it easy to calculate when to start descending. For example, to descend 6,000 feet, a pilot starts descending 18 NM out (6 x 3 = 18). It helps maintain a consistent descent rate, critical for passenger comfort in older planes and for fuel efficiency in modern jets, and aligns with standard approach systems like ILS/VASI.
Pilots are also paid for certain non-flying duties, such as training events and some reserve days, which is why many pilots use 1,000 credit hours as a simple planning number.
United and Alaska are the two U.S. carriers of the 737 Max 9, and account for about two-thirds of 215 models in service worldwide, according to Cirium, an airline analytics company. United has 79 of them in its fleet, and Alaska operates 65.
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
After manufacturing issues led to two incidents in 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded across the world.