American extends Boeing 737 MAX cancellations into next year
American Airlines has taken the Boeing 737 MAX out of its schedules through Jan. 16, the latest in a rolling set of cancellations for the beleaguered aircraft since it was grounded across the globe in March.
American had previously planned to begin flying the plane on Dec. 3. Now, the latest MAX cancellations will remove the jet from the carrier's schedule during the busy holiday travel period around Christmas and New Year's.
The aircraft has been grounded worldwide since March after the second fatal crash of the model in five months. Boeing has since been working on software changes to address safety concerns with the aircraft, which still must be cleared by the FAA and other global regulators before it can begin flying again.
The two other U.S. airlines flying the MAX — Southwest and United — have had to make similar moves. Each has extended their MAX cancellations on numerous occasions, with Southwest now expecting the MAX to return to service on Jan. 6 and United on Dec. 19.
In pushing the 737 MAX's return to Jan. 16, American said it "anticipates that the impending software updates to the Boeing 737 MAX will lead to recertification of the aircraft later this year and resumption of commercial service in January 2020."
Related: Get the latest airline news delivered right to your in-box with the TPG newsletter
"We are in continuous contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT)," the carrier added.
American will have to tweak its holiday schedules to handle the latest disruption from the plane's grounding.
American anticipates the changes will force it to cancel about 140 of the 7,000 daily flights it has each day between Dec. 3 and Jan. 15. The airline will reaccommodate affected passengers on other flights, though that will be more challenging than usual with flights already packed for the holiday period.
In one interesting twist, American said it will not cancel any flight through Jan. 6 that's currently schedule to be flown with a MAX. Instead, American will fly all of those MAX flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft that have the same seat configuration as the MAXes that had been scheduled to fly them. "No additional rebooking will be required," American said in announcing the changes.
Beyond Jan. 6, American said some MAX flights might be canceled until the aircraft begins to gradually creep back into its schedules on Jan. 16.
Related: American Airlines gives up on serving China from Chicago
But American customers will see cancellations during the holiday period as it shifts other planes onto routes that had been scheduled to fly on the MAX. "In total, approximately 140 flights will be canceled per day through Jan. 15," American said in its statement.
For now, American said there's little for passengers to do. The carrier will load a schedule update that includes the latest MAX cancellations overnight Saturday into Sunday. On Sunday, American will begin to notify passengers "directly by email or telephone … . Customers who booked through a travel agent will be contacted by their agency directly."
American will not permit proactive schedule changes related to the latest MAX update until after the new schedule loads Sunday.
If the MAX does return to service on Jan. 16 as American is now projecting, the airline says it will "slowly" move the 24 MAXes it has already taken delivery off into its schedules into February.
Related: American Airlines suspends first route due to Boeing 737 MAX grounding
American has additional MAXs waiting to be delivered by Boeing, but has not given a timetable as to when that might occur. That schedule likely will be dictated by when regulators move to clear the jet to resume flying.
United and Southwest have said that they would allow passengers to switch to other flights if they were nervous about flying on the MAX.
American has said it will do the same, adding: "Details regarding policies and procedures for customers who do not wish to fly on the MAX once the aircraft enters scheduled service Jan. 16 will be released in the coming weeks."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees