FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - American Planning 737 MAX Service Restoration (Limited Start Dec and 2021) [CLOSED]
Old Oct 20, 2020, 12:17 pm
  #11  
JDiver
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One Mile at a Time has a story today, albeit everything is speculation until the FAA releases an AD note and restores certification to the MAX - and other world aviation agencies do. The head of EASA says he’s ready, but they must publish something similar to an FAA Airworthiness Directive.


In part:American plans to resume 737 MAX flights this year

American Airlines will shortly be scheduling its first 737 MAX flights for when the plane returns to service. While it’s possible that the timeline could slip, this is being done so that crews can start bidding on schedules, pilots can start being scheduled for simulator training, etc.

Here’s American’s strategy for bringing the 737 MAX back into service, which isn’t exactly what I would have expected:
  • American is completely removing the 737 MAX from the schedule, even 11 months out (the airline previously kept the plane in the schedule far in advance, and then removed it as the travel date neared)
  • American will schedule the 737 MAX once daily between Miami and New York LaGuardia, but only between December 29, 2020, and January 4, 2021
  • Customers will be able to book these flights as of October 24, 2020
  • American seems pretty committed to not having the plane enter service with passengers before December 29, and similarly, won’t schedule any 737 MAX flights for after January 4
and

American won’t rebook passengers on the 737 MAX

There have been lots of questions about whether airlines will inform passengers they’re booked on the 737 MAX. After all, many people may not feel comfortable flying on the plane, so how will airlines handle that?

Here’s American’s approach:
  • The 737 MAX on the above route will replace an existing plane, but customers currently booked on those services will be accommodated on other flights, and won’t automatically be rebooked on the 737 MAX
  • In other words, American is proactively helping customers avoid the 737 MAX, so you’ll only be booked on a 737 MAX if you specifically want to be
Frankly this seems like a delicate balance, and I don’t envy the situation airlines are in:
  • On one end of the spectrum, airlines could just pretend that the 737 MAX doesn’t exist, and is the same as any other 737; we’re seeing the plane essentially rebranded as the 737-8, and I’m sure many airlines will take the approach of providing passengers with no warning
  • On the other end of the spectrum, airlines could literally warn passengers that they’re booked on this plane, but at that point one has to wonder if they’re almost creating fear that shouldn’t exist
How far should 737 MAX disclosures from airlines go? Is listing the aircraft type as “737 MAX” enough? Should the aircraft type have to be listed in a different font to make it more obvious? Should airlines have a screen whereby passengers have to acknowledge that they understand they’re booking a 737 MAX?

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