Categories: AviationTravel News

United Cancels Boeing 737 MAX Flights Until June

United Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to pull its use of the troubled Boeing 737 MAX jets until early June, the carrier said on Friday.

Previously, American and Southwest had announced cancellations involving the aircraft through March and April.

But United’s announcement represents the longest that any airline is making schedules without the use of the grounded 737 MAX – a troubling development for Boeing, which was hoping for re-certification for the plane by early 2020.

As Reuters first reported, the decision follows comments from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it still has nearly a dozen steps to complete before approving the jets for flight.

The entire fleet of 737 MAX aircraft was grounded after two fatal crashes within months of each other killed 346 passengers and crew. Boeing said last week it was suspending production of the plane in January.

Without the 737 MAX, United said it will cancel about 56 flights a day in January and February, 80 in March and April and 108 in May and the early part of June.

“With the MAX return to service date still unknown, pushing our timeline back to early June is what is best for our customers and our operation. By moving the return to service date back more than just a month – as we have done previously throughout 2019 – it allows us to have more certainty by providing our customers and our operation a firmer and more definitive timeline,” United spokesman Frank Benenati told Reuters.

Bobby Laurie

His background in the travel industry dates back to November 2005 when he was initially hired as a flight attendant. After initially flying for six months for US Airways (now American Airlines) Laurie had started his move up the corporate ladder and held various positions within the industry before ultimately landing as an Analyst specializing in InFlight Policies & Procedures. Read More

Recent Posts

American Airlines Bringing Seatback Screens and More Premium Seats

American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would add more premium seats and bring back…

2 hours ago

Spirit Flight Attendants Push Back Against Google Data Deal

A bankruptcy court has postponed approval of Google’s purchase of Spirit Airlines data amid objections…

14 hours ago

Fake Wi-Fi Network Posed as Delta’s Real Connection During Flight

A fake Wi-Fi signal was discovered on a Delta flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta…

5 days ago

Live Bullet Found on United Airlines Flight Prompts Evacuation, Security Sweep

A live bullet was discovered aboard a United Airlines flight from Denver to San Diego…

6 days ago

US Recruits Gamers to Help Solve Air Traffic Controller Shortage

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are taking an unconventional approach…

1 week ago

Body-Mind Harmony

It's summer, and if you have a beach getaway coming up, are you trying the…

1 week ago