Originally Posted by
jsloan
Fine, it's not the FAA specifically, but rather the DOT that would have a problem with it. It's pretty clearly a deceptive practice. If Boeing renames it the 737-9 -- which they shouldn't do* -- and UA matches, that's not a problem. But filing it as a 739 and then operating it as a MAX, on a regular basis, would be grounds for a DOT action.
* Renaming it is fine, but it needs to be more distinguished from the NG or the few people who will care about this are going to confuse them. 737-A, or 797-9, or even 838 if they think it's time.. but not 737-9.
That's exactly what Boeing could do - is lump the MAX series into a big bucket called 7NG along with various other 737 models that fit a similar design. It will play havoc with seat maps and booking systems will all the sub variants, but it would kill the MAX name and obfuscate the identity of which specific aircraft model someone is flying. Honestly, if I was Boeing, I would be in talks with my customers to do this very thing, and make the change quietly with ICAO. I just don't see how the DOT has any standing to complain, the aircraft model is not a specific branding element they have jurisdiction to govern, and a valid case can be made such a consolidation of aircraft types is not a deliberate action to deceive, but rather an attempt to consolidate similar types.
However, given we're now looking at next April for a potential return to service, that leaves roughly 10 months for more defects to be found, that will require an even longer period to resolve. There remains the real possibility this aircraft will not take to the skies for 24+ months from now.