FAA Identifies New Issue With 737 MAX
An un-grounding date for Boeing's 737 MAX is not yet on the horizon.
As Boeing works with airlines, regulators and other stakeholders to fix a flight control system suspected of contributing to two fatal crashes of the airliner, the Federal Aviation Administration found a previously-unknown flaw that it will require Boeing to fix.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the software update proposed by Boeing was undergoing simulator testing last week. During the test, the source said, FAA pilots discovered an issue that affected their ability to recover from a runaway stabilizer trim. The issue was eventually traced to how the flight computers were processing data.
Runaway stabilizer trim is a signal of activation of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, the flight-control code suspected of being at the root of the two accidents, which killed 346 people.
"The safety of our airplanes is Boeing's highest priority," a Boeing spokesman said in an email, confirming that the FAA had identified the issue during a simulator session."Boeing agrees with the FAA's decision and request, and is working on the required software," the company's statement added. "Addressing this condition will reduce pilot workload by accounting for a potential source of uncommanded stabilizer motion," Boeing said. Stabilizers are the part of a plane's tail that controls pitch, i.e. points the nose up or down.
The FAA said it will not announce a date to lift the MAX grounding order until all issues with the plane are addressed.
"The FAA is following a thorough process, not a prescribed timeline, for returning the Boeing 737 Max to passenger service. The FAA will lift the aircraft's prohibition order when we deem it is safe to do so," the agency said in a statement. "We continue to evaluate Boeing's software modification to the MCAS and we are still developing necessary training requirements."
Meanwhile, airlines continue to push back their planned reintroduction of the MAX into service. United Airlines announced Wednesday that the plane would be off its schedule until at least Sept. 3. American Airlines made a similar announcement earlier this month, but last week, American's CEO seemed to suggest the plane may be out of service beyond that date. The groundings have resulted in thousands of canceled flights every month as airlines struggle to cope with the resulting shortage of aircraft.
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