United becomes second US carrier to return the 737 MAX to service
Boeing's journey to return the beleaguered 737 MAX to service passed another major milestone on Thursday.
Chicago-based United Airlines became the second U.S. airline to return the MAX to the sky, with the first commercial flight from Denver (DEN) to Houston (IAH) since the plane's 20-month grounding.
Flight 1864 departed the Mile High City at 7:47 a.m. local time, with a full load of passengers in business class and about 150 passengers in coach. The jet, N37523, a one-year-old MAX 9 painted in the new Blue Evolution livery is slated to land on time at 11:15 a.m. local time.
United plans for 23 other MAX flights on Thursday, according to Cirium timetables, on many routes through Denver and Houston, where the plane will be based as the carrier ramps up service.
In March, United has scheduled 1,997 MAX-operated flights, so it's only a matter of time before the carrier plans to deploy its entire fleet of 28 MAX 9s. In the coming years, United will take delivery of additional MAX 9s, as well as MAX 8s and MAX 10s, according to Cirium fleets analyzer.
Thursday's return to service has been months in the making, starting with the November 2020 recertification order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After the jet's two fatal crashes in late 2018 and early 2019, the FAA and aviation authorities worldwide grounded the MAX indefinitely.
Related: A tale of two flights: Anxiety, excitement mix onboard return of the 737 MAX
Boeing worked together with the government agencies to address faults in the plane's flight control system related to the MCAS, or maneuvering characteristics augmentation system, before devising a return-to-service plan. On Nov. 18, the FAA ungrounded the jet, paving the way to return the MAX to the sky.
Airlines need to install a four-hour software update to the cockpit computers to fix the MCAS issues, and all pilots must pass a simulated-based training exercise to get recertified to fly the MAX.
American Airlines became the first domestic carrier to get the MAX flying again. Less than a month from the ungrounding order, the carrier flew a media-only demonstration flight with the jet. On Dec. 29, American put passengers back on the MAX with once-daily flights between Miami (MIA) and New York (LGA).
Related: A pilot and mechanic explain what’s needed to bring the 737 MAX back
In February, American is slated to operate 1,267 flights with the MAX, according to Cirium schedules.
Executives at American have cited the plane's fuel efficiency and lower operating costs as a key reason to bring it back so fast. With the pandemic raging, airlines are looking to cut costs wherever they can.
By mid-March, the MAX will be flying for four U.S. carriers. Alaska, which recently took delivery of its first MAX, will start flying passengers on March 1 with daily round-trip flights between Seattle and San Diego, and Seattle and Los Angeles. The airline is then expected to take delivery of its second 737 MAX 9 later in March.
Southwest's return-to-service plans include 32 MAX-operated flights on March 11, from a host of cities nationwide.
Related: How to tell if you're booking on a Boeing 737 MAX
To date, airlines have repeatedly reaffirmed that customers aren't specifically booking away from the MAX. “As we take a look at our loads, there’s really nothing to distinguish our MAX flights from the rest of our operation," American's president Robert Isom told the press before the carrier's first commercial MAX flight on Dec. 29.
Nonetheless, all U.S. carriers have added flexibility for travelers concerned about flying the MAX, and they've all pledged to be transparent about which flights are scheduled on a MAX, too.
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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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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.