Boeing 737 MAX
Boeing · Narrowbody / Commercial Aviation · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)
The Boeing 737 MAX is the American fourth-generation 737 family — Boeing's most-controversial commercial aircraft + the subject of the longest-grounded commercial jet in history. Boeing developed the 737 MAX in 2011-2017 as a re-engined competitor to the Airbus A320neo; first flight (737 MAX 8) 29 January 2016; service entry 22 May 2017 (Malindo Air). About 1,800 737 MAXs have been delivered as of 2026 across MAX 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 variants. The aircraft serves 100+ airlines including Southwest Airlines (principal operator), Ryanair, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, + many more.
The 737 MAX 8 (most-numerous variant) uses 2 × CFM International LEAP-1B turbofans (29,317 lbf each — 15% more efficient than the preceding 737NG's CFM56-7B). Maximum cruise speed Mach 0.79 (842 km/h), range 6,570 km, service ceiling 12,500 m, MTOW 82,200 kg. Passenger capacity: 162-178 (MAX 8) or 178-220 (MAX 9). The aircraft introduced larger engines mounted further forward + higher on the wing (necessitating MCAS — Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System — to maintain handling consistency with previous 737s), aerodynamic refinements (winglets, scimitar tips), + new flight-deck displays. The cabin was also redesigned with Boeing Sky Interior.
The 737 MAX's history is dominated by two fatal crashes: Lion Air Flight 610 (29 October 2018, all 189 aboard killed) + Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (10 March 2019, all 157 aboard killed). Both crashes were traced to MCAS — the system received faulty angle-of-attack data + pushed the aircraft's nose down repeatedly, overpowering crew attempts to recover. Global authorities grounded the 737 MAX on 11-13 March 2019 — the longest grounding in commercial-aviation history. Boeing redesigned MCAS, improved crew training, + the FAA cleared the type to return to service on 18 November 2020 (20-month grounding). Subsequent issues: the 5 January 2024 Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 mid-flight door-plug blowout (no fatalities) led to a second production-quality investigation + Boeing CEO resignation. The 737 MAX remains in production but is delivered ~20% below pre-2019 forecast rates.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Boeing 737 MAX is the newest version of the famous 737 airliner. It first flew in 2016 and started carrying passengers in 2017. Airlines all over the world ordered thousands of them.
The 737 MAX has bigger and more fuel-saving engines than older 737 jets. Each engine is called a LEAP-1B and uses about 15% less fuel. That means the plane is much cheaper for airlines to run. Southwest Airlines is the biggest user, with hundreds of 737 MAX jets.
In 2018 and 2019, two 737 MAX jets crashed because of a problem with a computer system called MCAS. After that, every 737 MAX around the world was kept on the ground for almost two years. This was the longest grounding of an airliner in history. Boeing then changed the computer system to make it safer.
The 737 MAX is about as long as a basketball court. It can carry up to 220 passengers and fly more than 4,000 miles without stopping. Today over 100 airlines fly the 737 MAX, and about 1,800 have been delivered around the world.
Fun Facts
- The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth version of the long-running 737 family.
- Its LEAP-1B engines burn about 15% less fuel than older 737 engines.
- Southwest Airlines is the biggest 737 MAX user with hundreds of these jets.
- Every 737 MAX in the world was grounded for almost two years after two crashes.
- About 1,800 of these planes have been delivered to over 100 airlines.
- The 737 MAX 9 can carry up to 220 passengers in its biggest seating layout.
Kids’ Questions
Why was the 737 MAX grounded for so long?
Two 737 MAX jets crashed in 2018 and 2019 because a computer system called MCAS pushed the nose of the plane down by mistake. Every 737 MAX was kept on the ground until Boeing fixed the system. The fix took almost two years.
Is the 737 MAX safe to fly today?
Yes — the plane was tested very carefully before it was allowed to fly again in late 2020. The MCAS computer was changed, pilots got new training, and many other small changes were made. Millions of people have flown safely on the 737 MAX since then.
Variants
- 737 MAX 7 (172 seats)
- Shortest variant. Limited demand.
- 737 MAX 8 (178 seats)
- Most-numerous variant. Workhorse.
- 737 MAX 9 (193 seats)
- Stretched variant. Alaska Airlines + United Airlines.
- 737 MAX 10 (204 seats)
- Longest variant. Service entry 2024.
Notable Operators
- Southwest Airlines (2017-present)
- Principal operator. 300+ aircraft.
- Ryanair (2018-present)
- Largest European operator. 150+ aircraft.
- 100+ airlines worldwide
- American, United, Air Canada, Air China, others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Lion Air + Ethiopian crashes?
Both crashes were caused by MCAS — Boeing's Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System — receiving erroneous angle-of-attack (AoA) sensor data + pushing the aircraft's nose down. The 737 MAX's larger LEAP engines were mounted forward + higher on the wing, which changed the aircraft's pitch behaviour during high-AoA manoeuvres. Boeing added MCAS as a software band-aid to make the MAX handle like previous 737s — avoiding pilot retraining costs. Critically, MCAS read from only one of two AoA sensors + could repeatedly trim nose-down without crew awareness or easy override. On Lion Air 610 (October 2018) + Ethiopian 302 (March 2019), a single failed AoA sensor caused MCAS to fight the crew to the ground. Boeing's MCAS redesign (2020) cross-checks both AoA sensors, limits the trim authority, + provides clearer crew alerts. Boeing was found criminally liable in a January 2021 $2.5 billion DPA settlement + faced extensive civil liability.
Sources
See Also
- Boeing 737NG — Direct predecessor
- Airbus A320neo — Principal competitor