United Will Not Be Operating 737 MAX Flights This September, Despite Accidental Display
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The Boeing 737 MAX has been grounded since mid-March of 2019 following two high-profile accidents which claimed the lives of 346 passengers and crew. The aircraft has remained grounded in the months following as it currently undergoes software and hardware updates to fix the faulty MCAS in question, and airlines have pushed the return of the MAX back into service to November at a minimum.
So, you can imagine what a surprise it would be to find the aircraft showing up as the equipment type for flights scheduled as soon as September, as spotted by View From The Wing. Screenshots in the post show the Boeing 737 MAX 9 as the aircraft type for flight UA 1586 from Houston to Newark on September 10, 2019 — months before the aircraft is scheduled to return to service.
United Airlines confirmed to The Points Guy that the 737 MAX was briefly listed as the equipment type on a handful of flights. In a statement to TPG, United Airlines said:
“A limited number of flights in September and October accidentally displayed that they would be operated by the 737 MAX. We quickly removed the MAX and replaced it with the correct aircraft that were intended to operate those flights.”
So, if your flight previously displayed the Boeing 737 MAX 9 as the aircraft type, rest assured, the 737 MAX is still removed from United’s official schedule through it’s latest date of November 9.
United Airlines has 14 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. All Boeing 737 MAX variations, including the MAX 9, were grounded back in March. With a relatively small fleet compared to its competitors, United has faired significantly better than American Airlines and Southwest in the months since the grounding began.
For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
Featured image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs). Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 20,000 bonus miles after your first anniversary of Card Membership. Offer Expires 4/1/2020.
- New! With Status Boost™, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- New! Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Complimentary access into the Delta SkyClubs® for you when traveling on a Delta flight.
- New! Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.