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U.S. airlines are beginning to take their 737 MAXs out of long-term parking after the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the plane to resume flight. After an expensive eighteen month downtime, airlines are eager to get their MAXs back in the air. The million dollar question is: Will passengers be happy to board a MAX flight?
Between them, three major US airlines have over 60 inactive Boeing 737 MAXs. To date, Southwest Airlines is MAX’s largest operator in the United States, with 34 of them. American Airlines has 24 MAXs and United Airlines has 14 sitting on the tarmac. All three airlines are now working to get them back to flying.
Today, Edward Russell of The Points Guy said United Airlines intended to resume Boeing 737-9 MAX flights from its Denver and Houston hubs in the first quarter of 2021. We contacted United to confirm this and a spokesperson said Edward Russell was on the money. However, the airline could not provide a more precise start date.
American Airlines, the first US airline to fly the 737 MAX again
American Airlines is more specific. In a letter sent to employees and posted on the airline’s website, senior management said they were taking a “step by step approach” to putting the MAX back into service.
“We will begin non-commercial flights in early December before the official return to service date to prove that the 737 MAX is as safe as any aircraft we fly on American.
“On December 29, we will resume scheduled service with two flights per day or one round trip from Miami to La Guardia until January 4. After that, we plan to gradually introduce more 737 MAX aircraft into revenue service throughout January, with an increase to 36 departures from our Miami hub depending on the day of the week. “
Southwest Airlines says three or four months to restart the MAX
In a media call in November, Southwest Senior Vice President of Air Operations Alan Kasher said it would take three to four months to get the 737 MAX back into service.
“(The) return to service should take place no earlier than the second quarter of approximately next year. This can, of course, only happen after installing and testing software updates, performing comprehensive maintenance checks, operating multiple availability flights with each MAX, and this well before our customers board these aircraft. “
In the same media call, another airline executive noted that Southwest has no specific routes or airports where the 737 MAX is assigned. Planes flow through the southwest system.
“We would certainly like to get closer to the travel days to confirm the type of aircraft planned to operate the specific flight. And we certainly don’t want to surprise people at the gate or on board if they prefer not to fly the MAX. “
Alaska Airlines joins the party, remains bullish on the 737 MAX
Alaska Airlines also plans to fly the 737 MAX in 2021. Indeed, despite all the problems with the MAX, Alaska Airlines remains optimistic about the plane. So much so that the airline recently agreed to lease another 13 new Boeing 737-9 MAXs. Alaska Airlines Alaska will sell 10 Airbus A320s to Air Lease Corporation in exchange for the MAXs. In a statement in mid-November, Alaska Airlines said;
“Our first aircraft, a MAX 9 model, is currently slated for delivery in early 2021 and will begin passenger service in March 2021.
“We have high expectations and confidence that Boeing has made the necessary changes and improvements to the 737 MAX and that, with these updates, the MAX will meet the high safety standards we have come to expect.”
While airlines are eager to get their planes up and running again. All of them are committed to expressing trust in the plane, Boeing and the FAA. However, it remains to be seen whether the American traveling public shares the enthusiasm
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