United Airlines will fly the Boeing 737 MAX from two of its largest hubs when it returns in 2021
United Airlines plans to resume Boeing 737 MAX flights at two of its largest hubs early in 2021, likely becoming the second U.S. carrier to return the beleaguered jet to service in the U.S. after its more than 20-month grounding.
The Chicago-based carrier plans to resume flights with its 737 MAX 9 jets at its Denver (DEN) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) hubs in the first quarter of 2021, United told staff in an update on its MAX plans earlier in November. The airline flew 14 MAXes prior to the March 2019 grounding.
American Airlines plans to reintroduce its 737 MAX 8s on passenger flights between Miami (MIA) and New York LaGuardia (LGA) on Dec. 29.
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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration re-certified the 737 MAX on Nov. 18 after the longest grounding of a commercial passenger aircraft since the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 in 1979. The regulator is requiring a number of software updates and new training for pilots before airlines can resume passenger flights.
Brazil's regulator ANAC has also re-certified the jet with Canadian and European regulators expected to follow suit soon.
Flyer confidence in the MAX is one of the big questions airlines face as they prepare to return it to passenger service. A recent survey by Southwest Airlines found as many as 25% of travelers are uncomfortable flying on the jet even after the FAA's review and required updates to the plane's systems.
Some have suggested that Boeing and airlines embark on a confidence-boosting ad campaign for the jet to calm worried flyers. To date no such campaign — nor one to drop the "MAX" brand — has been unveiled.
Related: Southwest Airlines ‘proud’ of the Boeing 737 MAX, no plans for rebranding campaign
“I think people need to get on the plane and experience it," Southwest president Tom Nealon said in response to media questions over traveler confidence during a MAX briefing on Nov. 19.
According to United's website, it will "communicate in advance" that a flight is operated on a MAX to all flyers booked on the jet. In addition, it will change or refund all tickets on MAX flights with no fee at the request of travelers.
After American and United, Alaska Airlines plans to begin MAX flights in March following the delivery of its first jet in January. Southwest plans to resume MAX passenger flights in the second quarter, or as early as April.
Related: Alaska Airlines swaps Airbus A320s for 13 new Boeing 737 MAX jets
The few available details of United's MAX return-to-service plan suggest a focus on the airline's coronavirus pandemic strengths. Both its Denver and Houston hubs have recovered faster than others on its route map. In addition, as some of United's largest operations today, travelers uncomfortable flying on the Boeing jet will have additional flexibility if they decide to change their travel plans.
The carrier's tentative plans to base the MAX in Denver and Houston breaks somewhat from its pre-grounding schedule. In March 2019, United flew the jets almost exclusively from Houston as well as on select flights to Hawaii from its Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) hubs, according to Cirium schedules.
However, Denver and Houston are two points of strength for United during the crisis. In December, the carrier's schedule will be nearly 72% of 2019 in Denver and more than 57% in Houston, Cirium shows. This is better than its system schedule of 53% of last year.
United will fly less than half of its 2019 schedules in Los Angeles and San Francisco in December.
Related: American Airlines plans 5 employee-only 737 MAX flights to nowhere
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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
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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.