

With that, we could potentially see the plane in the US skies within a few weeks, before the end of the year.
737 MAX GROUNDED UPDATE
These planes will need a software update and pilots will need some additional simulator training. The US FAA has today issued an ungrounding order for the 737 MAX. Ironically airlines might be just as unhappy as passengers about the 737 MAX being cleared to fly again, because they’ll be on the hook for paying for these planes, and won’t be getting compensation from Boeing anymore.

I’ll be curious to see how the public responds to the 737 MAX returning to the skies: Southwest doesn’t plan on restarting 737 MAX flights until 2021 Boeing & airlines have uphill battle While I’m sure they could put the plane back into service sooner, they have so many planes parked anyway, so there’s not much upside to flying these for now.

Southwest and United are the other two US airlines operating the 737 MAX, but they don’t plan on putting the plane back into service as of 2021 (though that could change). The airline is clearly trying to ease the 737 MAX back into service, and make it clear to passengers what they’re booking. American has scheduled once daily 737 MAX 8 flights between Miami and New York between December 29, 2020, and January 4, 2021. Pilots will need to undergo simulator training before returning to the skies American will be first US airline to fly 737 MAXĪmerican Airlines is expected to be the first US airline to put the 737 MAX back into service. If anything, I think the support from the EASA will mean a lot to other foreign regulators, given how cozy Boeing and the FAA have historically been. If both the FAA and EASA allow the 737 MAX to return to service I’m sure we’ll see most other authorities follow their lead, but that might not be the case across the board. It’s also important to understand that the FAA only controls aviation within the US, so it will be up to aviation authorities in other countries to decide if & when they allow the 737 MAX to return to service. Pilots will need to undergo additional simulator training before being able to fly the 737 MAX again.

