Every 737 MAX flying passengers today — the MAX 8 and MAX 9 — is certified by the FAA, EASA, and every other major aviation regulator.
- The 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 are certified to fly by the FAA, EASA, and other major regulators, following a 20-month worldwide grounding (March 2019–November 2020) after two crashes linked to a faulty automated system killed 346 people.
- A door plug blew out on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January 2024. No one died, and investigators traced it to missing bolts from a Boeing factory repair, not a design flaw.
- The FAA certified the smaller 737 MAX 7 on August 3, 2026. The larger MAX 10 is still awaiting certification, expected later this year, with first deliveries of both new variants not until 2027.
- In July 2026, the FAA proposed mandatory seat inspections on 453 US-registered MAX jets after finding some seats weren’t properly secured: a precaution, not a grounding.
Where things stand in 2026
The FAA certified the 737 MAX 7 on August 3, 2026, capping an eight-year process. The larger MAX 10 finished its certification test flights on July 28, 2026, and is still waiting on FAA sign-off, expected later this year.
Both variants needed a fix to an engine anti-ice system, unrelated to the MCAS or door-plug problems. First deliveries of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 aren’t expected until 2027 — the MAX 8 and MAX 9 you’re likely to actually fly on are unaffected by any of this.
Separately, in July 2026 the FAA proposed requiring inspections on 453 US-registered MAX jets after finding some seats weren’t properly locked into their floor tracks. It’s a precautionary inspection order, not a grounding, and Boeing had already flagged the issue to airlines in December 2025.
On manufacturing, the FAA has steadily raised how many 737s Boeing can build each month as oversight improved: from 38 to 42 in October 2025, then to 47 around mid-2026, with Boeing aiming higher still.
The 2018–2019 crashes and grounding
Two 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people in under five months. Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea on October 29, 2018, minutes after taking off from Jakarta, killing all 189 on board.
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Bishoftu on March 10, 2019, six minutes after leaving Addis Ababa, killing all 157 on board.
Both crashes were linked to MCAS, an automated system meant to help the plane fly safely that instead repeatedly pushed the nose down using bad data from a single faulty sensor. Pilots hadn’t been trained on the system and didn’t know how to override it.
Regulators worldwide grounded the entire 737 MAX fleet within days. The FAA lifted its grounding on November 18, 2020, after Boeing redesigned MCAS to check two sensors instead of one, added a limit on how far it can push the nose down, and overhauled pilot training.
EASA (Europe) followed on January 27, 2021. China held out until December 2, 2021 — nearly two years and nine months after the grounding began. At 20 months, the FAA’s grounding is still the longest ever for a US-certified airliner.
The 2024 door-plug incident
On January 5, 2024, a mid-cabin door plug blew off Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, a 737-9 MAX, shortly after it left Portland, Oregon. The panel separated at about 14,830 feet, causing rapid depressurization.
No one died. Seven passengers and one flight attendant had minor injuries, and the crew landed safely back in Portland.
The NTSB’s investigation found the door plug’s four retaining bolts were never reinstalled after the panel was removed at a Boeing factory for a repair. Investigators blamed gaps in Boeing’s manufacturing oversight, not a flaw in the door plug’s design.
Alaska grounded its 65 MAX 9 jets for about three weeks while the FAA ordered inspections fleet-wide. Boeing paid Alaska $160 million in initial compensation, with more expected under confidential terms.
How to check what you’re flying on
- Search your route on Wego’s flight search.
- Once you pick the schedule, you’ll see the details of the aircraft in the following page.
- Remember certification applies to the whole fleet, not one lucky or unlucky jet; every MAX of the same variant flown by the same airline carries the same certification.
You can also now use Wego filter to select aircraft type that you prefer to fly on. More on this smart feature and others here.
6 New Wego Features That Will Change the Way You Search Your Flights
The bottom line
The 737 MAX flying today has been through two rounds of regulatory scrutiny most aircraft never face — and it’s certified as a result, not in spite of it.
Both the MCAS crashes and the door-plug incident led to real consequences: a grounding, a redesign, and tighter factory oversight, with independent regulators — not just Boeing — signing off before the plane returned to service or production sped up.
The honest, non-alarmist answer: current-production MAX 8s and MAX 9s meet the same safety bar as any other modern jet you’d book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to fly on a Boeing 737 MAX in 2026?
Yes. The MAX 8 and MAX 9 flying today are certified by the FAA, EASA, and other major regulators, following the fixes made after the 2018–2019 crashes and the 2024 door-plug incident.
What caused the 2018 and 2019 crashes?
An automated system called MCAS repeatedly pushed the nose down based on bad data from one faulty sensor, and pilots hadn’t been trained on it or how to turn it off.
What happened with the Alaska Airlines door plug?
A panel meant to plug an unused door blew off mid-flight in January 2024. No one died, and investigators found the bolts holding it were never reinstalled after a factory repair.
Is the Boeing 737 MAX 10 flying yet?
Not yet. The FAA certified the smaller MAX 7 on August 3, 2026, but the larger MAX 10 is still awaiting sign-off, expected later this year. First deliveries of both aren’t expected until 2027; the MAX 8 and MAX 9 already flying aren’t affected.
Which airlines fly the Boeing 737 MAX?
Major operators include Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Ryanair, Akasa Air, and Turkish Airlines, among more than 100 airlines and leasing customers worldwide. easyJet is a notable exception — its fleet is entirely Airbus.
How do I find out if my flight is on a 737 MAX?
Search your route on Wego to see which airline operates each option, then check that airline’s fleet page or a flight-tracking site using your flight number.
Sources
- NTSB — Investigation DCA24MA063: In-flight structural failure, Alaska Airlines flight 1282
- NTSB — Board Meeting Summary, DCA24MA063 (probable cause findings)
- FAA — Updates on the Boeing 737 MAX
- FAA — Statement on Certification of the Boeing 737 MAX-7 (3 Aug 2026)
- Bloomberg — Boeing Max is cleared to fly as FAA lifts longest US grounding (18 Nov 2020)
- EASA — EASA declares Boeing 737 MAX safe to return to service in Europe (27 Jan 2021)
- CNBC — China issues directive to bring the Boeing 737 MAX back after more than two years (2 Dec 2021)
- CNBC — Boeing pays Alaska Airlines $160 million for 737 Max 9 grounding
- CNBC — FAA raises Boeing 737 Max production cap to 42 a month (17 Oct 2025)
- CNBC — Boeing CEO says company met requirements to raise 737 Max production to 47 a month (27 May 2026)
- CNN — Seats on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets may need inspections, FAA says (27 Jul 2026)
- Flightradar24 — The Ryanair fleet in February 2026
- Aviation A2Z — Akasa Air receives 40th Boeing 737 MAX, fleet and order totals
- Boeing — Turkish Airlines orders up to 75 787 Dreamliners, commits to more 737 MAX jets (26 Sep 2025)
- AviTrader — easyJet takes delivery of 100th A320neo-family aircraft, all-Airbus fleet at 359 (12 Jun 2026)
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
