United slates first commercial 737 MAX flight for Feb 2021
It's been nearly two years since the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was grounded back in March 2019. The FAA recertified the aircraft to fly again on Nov. 18, 2020, and airlines have begun making plans for returning the aircraft to service.
United will be among the U.S. airlines returning the MAX to the skies with its first commercial flight scheduled for Feb. 11, 2021. The full schedule for February will be announced Jan. 6.
While plans are in place for United to start flying the 737 MAX again, that doesn't mean there isn't still work to be done.
United Airlines outlined next steps and a promise for full transparency in a recent statement:
"Nothing is more important to United than the safety of our customers and employees, so United’s MAX fleet won’t return to service until we have completed more than 1,000 hours of work on every aircraft, including FAA-mandated changes to the flight software, additional pilot training, multiple test flights and meticulous technical analysis to ensure the planes are ready to fly. We will be fully transparent with our customers and will communicate in advance when they are booked to fly on a MAX aircraft."
As previously reported, United Airlines has plans to reintroduce the 737 MAX at its Denver (DEN) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) hubs in 2021.
The road ahead for the 737 MAx
Mulitple U.S. airlines are now making plans to reintroduce the aircraft to service. American Airlines has slated its first commercial MAX flight for Dec. 29, 2020, Southwest estimates a return to service in March 2021, and many others have plans to replace soon-to-be-retired aircraft with new 737 MAX orders.
Related: A pilot and mechanic explain what’s needed to bring the 737 MAX back
However, there is a significant roadblock for airlines to consider as the aircraft is reintroduced to service — passenger trust. A recent survey by Southwest Airlines found that almost a quarter of travelers are uncomfortable flying on the jet even after the FAA’s review and required updates to the plane’s systems.
While the MAX has now passed all of the FAA's safety requirements to return to the skies, it will take time for travelers to become fully confident in the aircraft following the two fatal flights that prompted its grounding in the first place.
But airlines are optimistic that this trust will return. For example, Alaska Airlines will be replacing some of its Airbus A320s with 737 MAX jets. And Southwest Airlines has no plans for a rebranding campaign, saying it's "proud of the 737 MAX 8" and that "people need to get on the plane and experience it" for flyer confidence to return.
Related: How to tell if you're booking a Boeing 737 MAX
Bottom line
It's been a long road for the Boeing 737 MAX to be recertified and returned to service. As Boeing's bread and butter jet, the news of its reintegration into multiple airline flight plans is a big step forward for the aircraft manufacturer.
While the work isn't entirely finished, many airlines — United among them — are looking ahead at the ways the newly recertified 737 MAX can play a part in the industry's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
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This card is geared toward both frequent and occasional United flyers alike, and offers plenty of elite-like benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and a discount on in-flight purchases. It also racks up miles at a steady pace on a variety of purchases including dining and hotels, putting that next award ticket within reach sooner.Pros
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- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
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Rewards Rate
2X | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases |
2X | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services |
1X | 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases |
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Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.60,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
This card is geared toward both frequent and occasional United flyers alike, and offers plenty of elite-like benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and a discount on in-flight purchases. It also racks up miles at a steady pace on a variety of purchases including dining and hotels, putting that next award ticket within reach sooner.Pros
- Earns 2 miles per $1 spent on United, dining and hotels
- First checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion
- Priority boarding
- 25% off eligible inflight purchases
- Up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Cons
- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.