The Boeing 737 MAX returns to commercial service on Wednesday
The nearly two-year grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX is set to come to an end on Wednesday.
GOL, the largest domestic carrier in Brazil, is slated to resume commercial service with the troubled jet, with the first flights on routes to and from the company's hub in Sao Paulo.
The airline plans to have all seven of its MAXes back in the sky by the end of December.
In announcing the restart of commercial MAX operations, Celso Ferrer, vice president of operations at GOL said "our first priority is always the safety of our customers."
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Prior to returning the MAX to service, GOL, along with all other operators, must implement a software update designed to fix the MCAS system, which was partially blamed in two crashes of the jet that took 346 lives. In addition, pilots must undergo a recertification process, which includes a three-hour simulator-based training, running through a combination of emergency scenarios.
According to GOL, all 140 of its pilots have already undergone the required training. Plus, the company has operated some test flights with pilots and other employees before relaunching commercial service.
The countdown to the first commercial MAX flight has been ticking since Nov. 18 when the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it would lift the 20-month grounding order that kept the MAX parked while regulators worked on a fix for the plane's issues.
Immediately following the un-grounding order, every major U.S. carrier announced their intentions to restart MAX flights within months.
Of the three U.S. airlines with MAXes in their fleet, American Airlines has been the most ambitious with its plans to restart MAX service by the end of the year. The Fort Worth-based carrier is slated to re-inaugurate MAX service on Dec. 29 with a flight from Miami (MIA) to New York LaGuardia (LGA).
In fact, on Dec. 2, American flew a media delegation on the MAX on a roundtrip flight from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Tulsa (TUL) as the first public flight since the plane's grounding. Members of the media heard from the carrier's top brass of pilots and mechanics about how the carrier is bringing the plane back to the skies.
In the weeks leading up to Dec. 29, American is operating several employee-only charter flights with the MAX to "ensure our own team members are comfortable" flying the jet.
Related: A pilot and mechanic explain what’s needed to bring the 737 MAX back
Interestingly, both American and GOL, are citing the MAX's efficiency as one of the top reasons to bring it back so fast, especially during the demand downturn due to the pandemic.
In a recent Skift forum, American's president, Robert Isom said that the MAX "can really do things in an efficient way. From a sustainability perspective, the single best thing an airline can do is buy new planes — and we can't wait to get these MAXes in our fleet." According to the Brazilian airline, "the 737 MAX is critical to GOL's expansion plans due to the greater fuel efficiency and reductions in carbon emissions."
Other U.S.-based carriers aren't acting as fast as AA or GOL. Southwest plans to have its MAXes back in the sky in the second quarter of 2021, while United is gearing up to restart flights from its Denver and Houston hubs in the first quarter of 2021.
Alaska Airlines, which just announced that it's leasing 13 more MAXes in exchange for 10 A320s, plans its first MAX flight in March.
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- 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.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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.
- Terms Apply.