Here's what the Boeing 737 MAX grounding means for your summer travel
The Boeing 737 MAX won't take to the skies over the U.S. before June.
That was guaranteed last week when Southwest, the largest operator of the jet in the country, joined American and United in announcing that its MAX jets would remain off the schedule through June 6.
With that, the jet's grounding is now pushing into the busy summer travel season, when airlines operate at peak capacity and planes are even more likely than usual to be full. That means airlines will have even less slack to absorb further disruptions if the MAX grounding gets pushed further into the summer.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news.
For now, all three U.S. airlines with MAXes said they're trying to mitigate the effects on customers.
"Based on continued uncertainty around the timing of MAX return to service, as well as Boeing's recommendation for pilot simulator training, the company is proactively removing the MAX from its flight schedule through June 6, 2020," Southwest said in a statement last week. "By proactively removing the MAX from scheduled service, we can reduce last-minute flight cancellations and unexpected disruptions to our customers' travel plans."
United and American issued similar statements.
Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research, said that if the current schedule holds, travelers should see minimal disruption, but that could change if airlines have to further delay the MAX's return to service.
Related: Boeing's deliveries slump amid 737 MAX crisis
"At this point, if you are flying on an airline that is supposed to operate the 737 MAX, and you already have travel booked — if you're not booked on a MAX, you probably have nothing to worry about," he said. "If you are booked on a MAX, keep an eye on your reservation in case the airline swaps the airplane or has to make any changes."
Harteveldt noted that airlines have continually had to delay plans for getting the MAX flying again and said another delay is possible.
"I'm not confident that we'll see the airplanes even flying in June," he said.
Airlines have had to grapple with uncertainty, trying to anticipate when to start putting the jets back into their schedule plans with no clear guidance about when the Federal Aviation Administration might clear the jet to resume flying. So far, it's been one delay after another as the MAX grounding has dragged on longer than anticipated.
"We can always make another schedule adjustment," American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said. "It is up to the FAA decide when the aircraft is safe to return to service."
Related:'This is a crucial time for Boeing,' new CEO says on first day
Boeing's 737 MAX has been grounded since March 2019, following two crashes that together killed 346 people. An automated flight control system contributed to both disasters and the global fleet of the best-selling narrowbodies has been grounded as Boeing has worked with regulators, airlines and other industry stakeholders to address issues with the software.
A further delay in the MAX's re-entry to service could have a much larger effect on travelers.
"If for some reason the return to service date gets pushed out substantially beyond the current days that they are, it's going to affect a lot of people's travel," Harteveldt said. As summer approaches, there will likely be less excess capacity on non-MAX operated flights, he said. That limits airlines' ability to rebook passengers if they wind up having to pull more MAX flights from the schedule.
The good news, though, is that only a limited number of airlines operate the MAX currently.
"Airlines that don't have MAXes in their fleet aren't affected by this at all. Passengers booked on those airlines don't have to worry about it," Harteveldt said.
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