Like it or not, the 737 MAX is back in the skies, and if it isn’t near you yet – it will be soon. The plane continues the long history of the Boeing 737 as a short haul stalwart for airlines, and despite the plane’s horrific history, orders are still piling in.
For many, that leaves an unsavory taste in the mouth towards air travel, in a time when things are already pretty bitter. Here’s 10 ways to avoid flying in a Boeing 737 MAX, if you think you absolutely must.
Airlines Flying The 737 MAX
An easy way, for now, to avoid the 737-MAX is to figure out which airlines are flying the plane, and when. If you don’t want to fly it, the simplest solution would be to choose another airline. Here’s the airlines with firm orders, or letters of intent to fly the 737 MAX, many of which have already been delivered.
Aeromexico, American Airlines, Air China, Air Canada, China Eastern, China Southern, Copa, Ethiopian, Fiji Airways, FlyDubai, GOL, Hainan, Korean Air, Icelandair, IAG (likely for Vueling, Aer Lingus, Iberia), Lion Air, Malaysia Airlines, Norwegian, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Southwest, SpiceJet, Turkish Airlines, TUI, United Airlines, VietJet, Virgin Australia, WestJet and Xiamen.
As you can see, it’s not going to be quite so easy to avoid this beleaguered plane, after all. Who are the biggest operators of the 737-MAX? The largest orders – aka the most planes to be delivered will go to: American, FlyDubai, United, Southwest, VietJet, Lion Air and Ryanair.
Many of these airlines are already readying their 737-MAX jets to re-enter service, and widespread MAX use is expected by the Spring and Summer of 2021.
Some airlines plan to conceal the ‘MAX’ part of the name, making the plane slightly harder to identify. However, a little bit of knowledge can help go a long way in avoiding the MAX, even with airlines which fly it. Though there are always going to be unique exceptions, the 737-MAX won’t tend to do much long haul flying.
If you’re flying Air Canada from Vancouver to London, or Qatar from Doha to Sydney, there’s virtually no chance you end up flying on a 737 MAX for the long haul trip so it’s hardly worth worrying about. If you have a short haul connection first, like Vancouver to Toronto, you may encounter it though. Basically, don’t fret for longer flights.
How To Physically Identifying The 737-MAX
There’s one fool proof way to identify the 737-MAX, and one good ‘guestimate’. The fool proof way is to look at the engines. If they look jazzy, like they’ve got special edges on the back side of the engine, it’s a MAX. These newer MAX engines have a serrated tooth, or flame like design on the back, much like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The other hint is the wingtips. A MAX wingtips will go both up and down, rather than just up, but some airlines fly a non-MAX variant which has a similar look, so it’s more of a guess. However, if it’s got the up and down wing tips, and you see teeth like serrated edge on the back of the engines, it’s a MAX.
Use Free Online Tools
Airlines do change up plans from time to time, but paying more attention to which aircraft your itinerary proposes in the first place helps. It should also give you more wiggle room, if your plane changes to a 737-MAX after you book.
If you’re searching on Google Flights, or with your favorite airline, look to see what plane the flight is operated by. Google Flights actually does a really excellent job of distinguishing between a standard 737, which has been around for decades, or the new 737-MAX.
Here’s an example from New York to Miami, which happens to be the first route American is flying the 737-MAX…
A big x-factor with avoiding the 737-MAX is that many flights you book today may swap to the MAX at a later date. Airlines such as Southwest in the USA have over 270 planes on order, with just 31 delivered. As deliveries roll in, they’ll need somewhere to fly, and many flights marked as a 737 or A320 today may change to a 737-MAX.
Airline Flexibility Policies
Due to this concern, some airlines are adding flexibility for people who end up with a 737-MAX, and aren’t too keen on the idea. American Airlines is allowing passengers to swap onto another flight, or if the destination is only served by the MAX, they’ll allow you to cancel for a credit in the full amount, or re-route to a destination with 300 miles.
Airlines are keen to make delivery of the 737-MAX a seamless experience, and for the near future that will mean accommodating passengers who wish to avoid it. Use these handy tools and visual clues to avoid booking, or ending up on a MAX if that’s how you feel, and don’t be afraid to ask an airline what they’re prepared to offer.
It’s expected that many will follow American’s footsteps, and allow travel on the next non-MAX flight, or a future travel credit, but eventually, the MAX will become one of the most visible and widely used airplanes in the sky, like it or not.
For reference, there are over 5,000 MAX aircraft on order, compared to under 2,000 Boeing 777’s delivered in the history of the entire 30 year program. There’s going to be a lot of these things flying, and though moral objections are totally valid, it should now be the safest plane ever to fly, given the additional testing and scrutiny.
IAG does not have any 737-max orders.
I have not seen one credible story outright stating that IAG has cancelled 737 MAX letter of intent. I’ve seen that they’ve been deferred to 2023/2024, and reduced in count. Can you share more? Thanks!
They never placed an order in the first place
They have an LOI for quite a few planes, with plans for 2023 though, no? Obvs these were destined for Gatwick, which isn’t much of a thing now for BA, but I don’t think you can pretend IAG have “no plans” for the MAX. Like I said, feel free to share anything saying they won’t be taking any planes.
Its a good plane dont be afraid of it…
Exactly. it’s as safe as any plane. When pilots from a third world country dont know how to fly the plane that’s the problem!!!. Talk about an article that is overreacting. Good God!! Dont they realize UNITED. AMERICAN, AND SOUTHWEST flew thousands and thousands of flights with the MAX for over a year with 0 problems!!! Horrible article!
I’d argue a much worse comment, than horrible article.
p kalnes , the pilots were not aware of the mcas system you utter moron
‘pilots from a third world country’ are in general western pilots… With same training as Western pilots. … V
as long as its on the ground and locked in a hanger
if its on the ground, and in a locked hanger
IAG is not even an airline… it’s an airline group, so this needs clarification on which airlines in the group have MAX orders. Sorry for being picky. Otherwise great article, as always, Gilbert! You rock! 🙂
I see you have now corrected the article – thanks.
Singapore also has some I believe (through Silkair)
As of Dec 22:
“Alaska said Tuesday it will buy 68 of the 737 Max 9 planes, up from the 32 it had previously ordered. Alaska will buy 23 of them from Boeing and lease 13 others from Air Lease. Alaska also announced options to buy 52 other Max planes.”
disable mcas and its unsafe, so you are prepared to put your safety in a “revised” piece of software? NO its not a “Safe” aircraft and never will be, if one more crashes and its attributable to sensor/sofware failure that will be the end of this aircraft , it shouldhave been permanently grounded and turned into scrap
Why is it unsafe with MCAS disabled?
aerodynamically unstable due to increased engine size/ placement and tendancy to pitch up and stall under certain circumstances ,still want to fly on this TURD
Most fighters are flying bricks (F-16, F-22, F-35…) and the V-22 has virtually no glide ability. These planes could not be flown without computers and sensors to take simplistic pilot inputs and drive hundreds of calculated outputs to avionic systems that keep the plane in the air. If it’s not your prerogative to fly on a plane that kept in the air with computers because it’s not aerodynamically stable then you’ll be flying less and less as new aircraft are developed. Especially when flying wings start coming out commercially. Just saying…
Why would anyone would prefer to avoid flying the Boeing 737 MAX? Yes, it’s back and I am convinced that it is safer than ever before… probably one of the safest jet to fly now. …If it’s Boeing I am going, if it’s aint Boeing I am not going.
boeing is a disgrace, a once great company ruined by moron management and accountants, ENGINEERS should be making decisions about the safety of aircraft design period
Ok its a dc10 45 years old you still going nunb nuts
mcdonald douglas NUMB NUTS
Common folks …737Max is a good plane..lets fly with it…dnt be misled by other’s comment…
george valdez, educate yourself before posting garbage, its such a great plane it killed 346 people all by its self
Agreed. Boeing is most definitely at fault in it’s rush to get MAX certified, which led to urgent information regarding the aircraft’s design and MCAS system not being properly relayed to airlines that began operating this version. The aircraft itself is not at fault here. It’s one of the most technologically advanced machines flying, and easily one of the safest. You can have the world’s most foolproof and safest plane on the market, but when you put 2 pilots at the controls who are unaware of a key piece of automation it’s only a matter of time before it bites you.
DC-10 32 crashes, another pile of crap, trying to compete with the boeing 747, rushed into production just like the 737 max, then whitewashed as the MD-11
…just be sure to chant that cute slogan when you find yourself hurtling towards the earth (faster than the speed of sound) as a passenger in a MAX that the pilot crew cannot control… see if that comforts you at that point in time.
What a prat, what does he know given all he does is fly about reporting on his experience of this airline or another, there a load like him but what does he know about the actual airoplane?
Um, a lot.
Ok, what makes the max unsafe?
Are you serious right now?
Why won’t you answer?
“buT tWo CrAsHeZ” will just show how unbelievably ignorant you are about the aircraft, and the two incidents in question, so choose your words wisely.
There are two types of people here: you’re misleading one group with your uninformed, ignorant BS and the other group is laughing at you for being such a Facebook soccer mom.
This may be the most ignorant thing I’ve read in weeks, and I just read the transcript of a Donald Trump phone call.
Why won’t you answer the question?
I know why you won’t, but I wanna hear you say it.
You’re simply regurgitating ignorant, MSM talking points. The aircraft is not unsafe when pilots are trained properly. The thousands upon thousands of flights flown by US/UK/European carriers prove that.
You might not be willing to say it…but I am.
You’re a low-budget hack when it comes to aircraft knowledge.
back to skool for yoo, invest in a dikshoonree
more like prat prendey
I will be flying these planes after my training is done. I don’t have any problem jumping in them at all. A properly trained pilot is the best safeguard against any incident. If you do the research of the companies that had these 737 Max accidents and look into the quality of training that they went through, especially Lion Air, it’s not surprising why there was an accident.
That’s completely unfair Jeff, and not very professional of a pilot. Boeing convinced these airlines SIM time to train pilots on this variant was not needed, as proven by subsequent investigations. I think that’s a really callous way of looking at the sad loss of life for some great pilots.
https://staging.godsavethepoints.com/report-boeing-laughed-off-737-max-training-requests/
the design was CRAP from the start, doofus, thats why they had to “FIX” it with software duh
thats NOT the point, the plane is UNSAFE what dont you get about that ?
That is 100% correct.
This comment was for you Jeff….
jeff, do you believe everything your told like a little boy at school ? boeing didnt even tell the pilots about the fucking crap they installed on it to prevent it stalling ,fucking WAKE UP FOR F***S SAKE
it wasnt an accident, it was deception, lies and criminal intent that caused these avoidable incidents
Just. A quick question, why would anyone want to avoid the MAX now? Sure it has crashed once a many times but it should be fixed by now (I hope). And of course there are those safety freaks but other than them, everyone else should at least try it if they are flying anytime soon.
For the reasons mentioned in the article. Grievous program mismanagement resulted in death, which betrayed public trust. Some people will have moral conundrums with the aircraft, and or Boeing for a period of time. I note it’s likely the safest plane in the skies, but that doesn’t change perception.
Hi you have not Singapore Airlines flying the 737 max
Boeing does not desearve the public trust annymore.
“If it’s a Boeing i aint’t going…”
Boeing betrayed us all with their greed and total lack of respect for our life’s. They avoided taking responsibility along with the FAA until they were forced in to a corner. We’ll done China for taking the lead in grounding this dreadful abomination. Zero trust.
you have my vote charlie, well said
Why don’t European airlines avoid the 737max due to the fact the yanks are adding import tax for airbus parts into the states. Buy airbus, support local economy and stuff the yanks. Airbus are better aircraft anyway.
Gilbert Ott seems to know better than the FAA who recertified the said plane. Do you?
What am I purporting to know, that the FAA does not? I’m simply stating facts about who will fly the plane, and how one might go about avoiding it, if they so wish. I won’t actively seek to fly it, and provide a balanced account of why one might not want to. My final line says it all “There’s going to be a lot of these things flying, and though moral objections are totally valid, it should now be the safest plane ever to fly, given the additional testing and scrutiny.”
and you trust the FAA ? they are even more of a disgrace than boeing l wouldnt trust EITHER of them
If the MAX is cleared to fly again, that means it has been fixed and tested, don’t ya’ll think that FAA would recertify the aircraft if is not safe to fly?
Facts!
its NOT safe “stupid” because without the crappy software update it WOULDNT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO FLY AGAIN ,GOOD GOD YOU ARE THICK
You’re a moron….
Well it certified an aircraft which wasn’t safe in the first place so it’s got form.
exactly ,its all about TRUST, the FAA are supposed to be answerable to the general public and the pilots ,FAILED, thats why 346 people are DEAD ,boeing management should be in jail along with FAA , utter disgrace
The key word in your post is “recertify” which should tell the FAA certified it once but we’re criminally negligent in their testing of the plane why would anyone trust them again, good luck if you’re gonna fly with them you’re gonna need it,..R.I.P….
You want “FACTS”(?) Here’s some: It doesn’t mean that it’s been “fixed”… It means that the FAA SAYS that it’s been fixed. Two different things. Further, tests don’t automatically reveal something’s flaws quickly-enough. Further yet, the FAA had originally certified it to be safe BEFORE the two crashes that took a combined 346 souls to their death, so it wasn’t worth much that it was certified at the time. So, this is an example of how the FAA ISN’T always correct when they say a craft is safe to fly, Fact-boy.
my comments about the 737 would equally apply to ANY aircraft manufacturer , they all have a responsibility to ensure their products are well designed and “SAFE” for the travelling public. As to the FAA, had they performed their job with integrity and conviction instead of rolling over for boeing 346 people would still be here today
They certified it the first time!
Basically it is an unstable aircraft made stable by software.
Early on the Airbus 320, 737’s direct competidor, had a couple of accidents due to software issues, different times, less demanding air authorities and particularly a less aggresive press, the 737 Max is the most thoroughy tested aircraft in history, I will fly it with no issues!
its not whether its boeing or airbus or anybody else, its doing the job right, peoples lives are at stake here, everybody involved in aviation must take responsibility whether its manufacturers, parts suppliers, regulators, operators, engineers,mechanics, and everybody else in this industry ,disasters like this should be “engineered out” not in, and must not be allowed to happen again
If the FAA are so efficient why did they pass the aircraft in the first place, Boeing knew it had faults but flew it anyway even after the first plane crashed, they also tried to blame pilot error, they are not to be trusted with people’s lives any longer and the FAA needs investigating for its obvious incompetence, if you value your life and your families don’t fly this aircraft and hopefully Boeing will go bust making air travel safer.
jeff , great post and TRUE
This article is pure BS. I am a pilot. I have flown fighters in the USAF. and many other civilian aircraft in my 45 yrs. of flying. Let me state without a doubt. The MAX is one of the safest airplanes flying. It wasn’t 2 years ago, but it is now. I would load my entire family on it everyday for a year if flown by a US carrier.
The author of this article has no clue about flight safety. He is a fear monger. Disregard this clown.
What was the last line of my article? I’ll help you. “There’s going to be a lot of these things flying, and though moral objections are totally valid, it should now be the safest plane ever to fly, given the additional testing and scrutiny”
tell that to the 346 , the only “CLOWN” is you
randall , apologist for boeing and the FAA ? on the payroll are you?
This “article” (blog post) is ridiculous. Spreading fear unnecessarily, only to end stating it should be one of the safest planes to fly on. Ridiculous.
Boeing is culpable for selling an aircraft
with a flight critical system that derived data from a single AOA sensor. They were further culpable for failing to ensure that flight crews received adequate training. That is enough to convince me not to trust Boeing or the FAA certification process ever again. There is, however, a bigger point. Modern aircraft designs continue to make the pilot ever more remote from the airframe. The warning signs were clearly there after Air France lost an Airbus due to sensors being impaired by icing. Pilots still need to acquire and retain the age-old basics of flying and be trained to recognise and manage systems degradation.
well said sir ,
Why would you want to avoid the 737max? It’s the safest plane around and has been tested and put thru more than any other plane.
For all the reasons noted in the article, and the 300+ souls who perished on the type.
Gilbert, how much did Airbus paid you to write such a crap article
The same Boeing did. Zero. Enjoy yourd ay.
Good response…
Exactly what it was worth.
Cool story bro.
Please… I’m more likely to avoid the max because it’s seats are reportedly quite uncomfortable, but a short hop won’t really matter. If I avoided every plane that had ever crashed, I’d have a short list of equipment I’d be comfortable flying on.
I have flown the B-737 & several models…100/200. & 300…Never the Max. Also having flown the a320…is where I was introduced to stall recovery systems. Since the beginning of my training stalls were…recognition of & recovery from. Keeping the rubberband tight ( so to speak)…I am so sorry Boeing has to go thru this. The 737 is a very safe airplane. More power changed center of lift a bit…that’s why we train to standards…I would gladly fly on the 737 Max when certified.
Why would you publish a b*llsh*t piece like this? Just to scare people? Do you think anyone would get on the plane if it were not safe? Get a life.
Thanks for your time.
forrest vogel, this aircraft should have been retired decades ago, it belongs in a museum, instead it was fitted with engines that it was never designed for and we all know what happened next , like an old car thats past its best thats the 737 max
How many have died in Airbus crashes mr dalton?
whats that got to do with the MAX-i-mum crap 737 ? the workers building this joke of an aircraft were slagging it off as DANGEROUS, would you have put yourself or your family on it before the crashes ? l think not
stay on topic, discussion is about this aircraft
I understand that the software engineers that designed the MAX flight controls were a bunch of 20 year old Indian just graduated students. I hire these guys for my unrelated business for about $15 per hour.
Been there, as a pilot in Great distress!… “Total Loss of flight control reliability” did happen!
(See USAF Lockheed C-141 “Tab-Operable” procedure.). In 1983, those little “Trim Tabs” on the wings saved more than 25 souls aboard our “out-of-control” large transport aircraft.! (caused by spastic actuators)
Look; I’m a US Air Force retired “Heavy Aircraft” (and helos) drive; There IS a universal Engineering safety-fix for all aircraft which might encounter flight control problems (especially killer-Airbus!) when “normal systems” go haywire; uncontrollable due to flight control malfunction, (mechanical or software induced!)
Simple recovery procedure we figured out (after 1.3 hrs of Scary, nearly gone-inverted flight) at Charleston AFB. Step 1: Disable (neutralize) All hydraulics which power flight controls! Step 2: Engage Only the “trim tabs” for all aileron and elevator controls. Step 3: You stabilize with Very slow flight control responsiveness, but Very controllable!
Easy fix ! (trim tabs moved by separate elec wires; No computers! (or cables-only). All the fly-by-wire manufacturers need to do is add those direct trim control cables/ elec controls for immediate emergency back-up! Somebody, just “read and heed.!” Implement on All aircraft.! NOT that expensive!
Jack asses.
rick huff and il puff and il puff and il huff and il, il, jack a$$es how eloquent
737 MAX should NEVER have been certified in the first place, and now boeing and the FAA say it will be the “safest aircraft in the sky” what an insult to the 346 that are DEAD, they didnt get a choice, the scum at boeing and the FAA saw to that , break up boeing, and the FAA both have ZERO integrity.
Flying, like all endeavors in life, has risks. Pick your poison, or simply stay home. I myself prefer to fly my own plane…
And you are bad*** at it, and I love your IG : )
boeing to face possible $20 million fine ? it should be $20 billion that would teach the CRIMINAL b*****s a lesson
special extras for you if you order a boeing aircraft today, step ladder,string of lights, various tools , boots , ppe, used rags , metal shavings , all provided free of charge , we will even throw in a torch so you can spend all your spare time trying to find out where we left it
EVERYONE read “THE TOMBSTONE IMPERATIVE by Andrew Weir, then come back on here and comment
Everybody take a deep breath and remember that these (Max’s) were flying over your head and homes for almost a year and a half 12- 15 hours a day everyday 365 days a year before the 2 crashes happened.
j anderson , unfortunately the 346 cant take a “DEEP BREATH” as they have taken their “LAST BREATH” courtesy of boeing and the FAA but never mind, as the “max is probably the safest aircraft in the sky” pathetic
God, the author of this opinion piece is a fing moron! The Max is likely the safest plane in the sky right now. This guy is just an idiot.
“The author is a moron”.
Not mentioned: the author said exactly the same thing you just said in the article itself, which therefore makes YOU, a moron.
john , was it part of the certification that 346 people had to die first ? engage brain if you have one, before opening your mouth, but then again your talking out of your arse anyway just like DONALD TRUMP
You’re quite the mouthy person and enjoy insulting people meanwhile you probably have ZERO aviation experience.
jeff , ive forgotten more than you will ever know
Lol sure. Here’s mine just for a start
15,000+ hrs
737,767,787
I was flying planes while you were still an embryo
The Max is a turd! Building an aircraft with stall tendencies built in is a formula for disaster. Boeing should be ashamed for producing this turd. My thoughts early on were Boeing should be forced to buy back all Max’s they sold. After that all of them should be sent to the scrap heap. It’s time to quit applying Band-Aids and build a new aircraft from the ground up.
Why would u want to avoid the aircraft….they were banned for such a long time … but for a purpose that is to fix the problem. seems like it’s fixed…so they must have done many test flights and all…so after doing all of that…they are confident about the aircraft..so why would u want to scare people. There’s nothing wrong in the aircraft now as they r flying again…and there’s you who wants people to avoid flying the max….guess u don’t have any knowledge or experience about aviation or the max. Pathetic
“seems like” is when I stopped reading.
yet another d**khead ,take your place in the line with the rest
rohit , the lemming , theres a cliff over there, go and jump off it, rohit “ok”
Are u a pilot or an engineer or the designer. Do you have any idea how much deadly crashes happened with Airbus? Do you know the emotion or the pain attached with the 737 max? Don’t spread hatred. Encourage people to fly more.
I do, daily, with an aviation and travel website.
aviation freak ,another retard
Mike, thats the point ,boeing said no extra simulator training was required to fly the max because it was almost the same as the previous model “NG” ,which is a blatant lie ,their reputation for producing a quality product is finished , and so it should be, everybody responsible for signing off this piece of crap should be in jail ,im sure most of the workers at boeing are decent people ,let down by the total arseholes at the top and that applies to the FAA as well
why not just scrap the piece of shit 737 max and design a brand new plane ?, airbus are producing a better product at the moment, and if boeing doesnt get its shit together they will be selling less and less aircraft in the future , and with china on the up, it wont be a boeing/ airbus duopoly for too much longer either, more competition is coming and its coming soon
I can’t believe this is even an article. If you don’t think that the MAX will be the safest aircraft after 20 months of intense scrutiny then you need to crawl out from under your rock and wake up.
Some people have moral objections, rather than safety concerns. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and this article provides empowerment to better make your own decisions.
joe, yet another retard dont you get uou cant polish a TURD and the max is a 40 year old Example
joe ,it should never have been “certified” in the first place , do some research , thats if you can read
new, 40 year old, 737 max introductory offer : a one way trip to the other side, last rights, flowers, nice organ music, and framed picture of your newly deceased family member all included free of charge, book today
I hope you all know a Boeing flight from Indonesia just got missing….perfect time to discuss and raise these safety issues again…
Talking of the devil…hope you all know a Boeing flight from Indonesia is missing today…they should be kept in locks really…
737-500. Your joining the gun pretty quick. Prove it wasn’t related to poor pilot training/experience. Please don’t be pointing fingers before you know any facts
737 500, 19 fatal accidents apart from that its quite safe,
boeing, going, gone, (again)
If you’re so good, why don’t you design an airplane. I think we both know the answer to that one. Just quit with your uneducated opinions already
you need to read more , a lot more
M.C.A.S stands for, Make Crap Aircraft Software, but they have a new piece of software its called, T.U.R.D.S and that stands for Totally. Useless. Recovery. Detection. System. (available as an extra)
Fine boeing
$20 BILLION NOW
THEY ARE CRIMINALS
757,767, 737 ,R/C models im impressed NOT
Yep exactly what I thought. You have ZERO aviation experience. Get a life loser
jeff ,another brainless turd
jeff, l dont need to work as lm a multimillionaire ,LOSER
Haha you’re just an internet troll. Figures. Still have zero experience in the aviation field trying to prove to everyone you know everything about the Max. You know diddly squat. You’re a bloody joke. And being a millionaire is nothing these days you twit. Easy to do. Go read your online aviation week because we all here want to learn about the aviation industry from you. You make me laugh.
told you before about throwing your r/c toys out of the pram
Then keep your uneducated opinions to yourself. If you don’t want to fly on the max then so be it. I’m definitely not going to miss you on my plane.