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Here's the First Scheduled 737 MAX Flight for American Airlines

Aug. 13, 2017
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4 min read
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Here's the First Scheduled 737 MAX Flight for American Airlines
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American Airlines flyers: prepare yourself for 30-inch pitch. According to AirlineRoute, American loaded the first scheduled flight for its new 737 MAX over the weekend. The first scheduled revenue flight for AA's newest aircraft type will be November 29, 2017 from Miami (MIA) to New York's LaGuardia (LGA). However, the 737 MAX might be substituted into service before then.

AA's first 737 MAX 8 rolled off the assembly line two weeks ago, but AA may be waiting to have a few before it puts these aircraft into service. Want to fly the inaugural? It's going to cost you a lot of points or cash. According to AA.com and ExpertFlyer, there's no MileSAAver AAvailability on this first flight:

However, you can shell out 20,000 (economy) or 45,000 (first) miles for the honor of being on the first flight:

While this might seem like a lot, it's actually getting you a theoretically good value on your AAdvantage miles. Other nonstops on the MIA-LGA route that same day are going for $69 one-way, but AA is selling seats on the inaugural for $900 one-way in economy... or $340 in first class:

Similarly, weird pricing happened when American Airlines first loaded its basic economy fares — leading to absurd $1,785 one-way fares on short flights between Miami (MIA) and Tampa (TPA). As with that situation, we will likely see the prices for these flights normalize soon. Plus, there are plenty of economy seats on these aircraft, meaning you probably don't have to worry about it selling out anytime soon.

While AvGeeks may love to be on an inaugural, this plane isn't one that most travelers will want to seek out. This is the aircraft that's going to have just 30 inches of pitch in economy — less than what Ryanair is installing on the same type of aircraft — and no in-seat in-flight entertainment screens. That said, AA is installing ViaSat satellite-based WiFi on these aircraft, which should be a significant improvement over what you're going to find on most Gogo-enabled flights.

Cabin / Aircraft737-800A321 (AA)737 MAXA319A321

(US Air)
First
16

10%
16

8.8%
16

9.3%
16

8.6%
16

8.6%
Main Cabin Extra
30

18.8%
38

21%
30

17.4%
24

18.8%
18

9.6%
Economy
114

71.2%
127

70.2%
126

73.3%
96

75%
153

81.8%

Inaugurals aside, there's not just one 737 MAX flying on MIA-LGA on November 29. AA has three scheduled 737 MAX flights that day on just this route:

According to RoutesOnline, AA's 737 MAX will operate this schedule daily from November 29 to December 14, before American changes things up around the holidays:

  • AA1011 MIA 7:05 – 10:03 LGA "7M8" (737 MAX 8)
  • AA1366 MIA 12:25 – 15:21 LGA 7M8
  • AA1203 MIA 16:35 – 19:28 LGA 7M8
  • AA1365 LGA 8:00 – 11:18 MIA 7M8
  • AA1011 LGA 11:00 – 14:21 MIA 7M8
  • AA1366 LGA 16:25 – 19:53 MIA 7M8
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I can sense some of you thinking "Phew, I just won't fly American Airlines between MIA and LGA." While that strategy will work for a bit, it won't keep you safe from these planes for long. American Airlines is buying 100 of these 737 MAX aircraft.

The first 737 MAX is scheduled to be delivered by the end of September (at the latest) with a total of four deliveries expected in 2017. Another 16 aircraft are scheduled for 2018 and then another 20 per year from 2019 to 2022. Of course, aircraft orders and deliveries are always subject to change.

Are you going to seek out a flight on AA's new 737 MAX? Let us know in the comments below.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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