Safety guides every decision we make
Safety is our No. 1 priority at American. It guides every decision we make and action we take. And, it is with this unequivocal standard that we will return the Boeing 737 MAX to service now that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recertified the aircraft. American has put in place rigorous processes to ensure that every plane in the air is safe and our pilots, flight attendants, team members and customers are confident in the return of the 737 MAX.
Collaboration with our union partners
Throughout the 20-month recertification process, American worked closely with the FAA and Boeing, in addition to our union leaders and their safety teams. The company and the Allied Pilots Association (APA), APA’s Ad Hoc Return to Service Committee the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and our Tech Ops team have worked in lockstep with the mutual goal of returning the 737 MAX safely back to service for American.
Transparency and flexibility for our customers
We know that restoring our customers’ confidence in this aircraft will come with time and importantly, transparency and flexibility. With enhanced notifications and clarity throughout the booking process, customers will be able to easily identify whether they are traveling on a 737 MAX even if schedules change.
If a customer doesn’t want to fly on a 737 MAX aircraft, they won’t have to. In addition to the elimination of change fees for most customers announced in August 2020, in the immediate term, we’ll provide additional flexibility to ensure our customers can be easily re-accommodated if they prefer not to fly this aircraft type. And if their aircraft type ever changes to a 737 MAX, there is no end to the flexibility our customers will have to feel comfortable. Customers can:
- Rebook on the next available flight in the same cabin — free of charge.
- Cancel their trip and receive travel credits redeemable with American Airlines.
- Change their itinerary within a 300-mile radius at no extra charge if there is no alternative American Airlines flight available to get them to their destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do we know the Boeing 737 MAX is safe to fly?
Safety is our top priority and at the forefront of every decision we make. American has put in place rigorous processes to ensure that every plane in the air is safe and our pilots, flight attendants, team members and customers are confident in the return of the 737 MAX. This includes investing in extensive training and plans to fly the aircraft before it returns to commercial use. Our approximately 2,600 Boeing 737 pilots will review and complete the FAA-approved documents and training, including aircraft operating manual updates, several hours of computer based training, classroom briefings and rigorous simulator training accomplished in a 737 MAX simulator.
Our aircraft will be ready thanks to the comprehensive storage program our Tech Ops team has managed. Throughout the past 20 months, the team has kept these aircraft in excellent condition with regular care and maintenance. In anticipation of the return to service, the team will complete the maintenance requirements included in the FAA’s Airworthiness Directive, including updating the software. In addition to the FAA’s oversight of every 737 MAX aircraft, our FAA-licensed aviation maintenance technicians will inspect and sign off on every airplane, just as they do for every one of our other aircraft. Every aircraft will then complete an Operational Readiness flight to ensure it is ready for passenger service.
- What role did American team members play in the recertification process?
Throughout the 20-month recertification process, American worked closely with the FAA and Boeing, in addition to our union leaders and their safety teams. The company and the Allied Pilots Association (APA), APA’s Ad Hoc Return to Service Committee and Association of Professional Flight Attendants, have worked in lockstep with the mutual goal of returning the 737 MAX safely back to service for American.
Many of our Boeing 737 pilots played an integral role in the recertification process based on their expertise. Our pilots are the best in the business, so it’s no surprise that regulators around the world, including the FAA, and Boeing relied on their experience.
- What are the elements of the updated pilot training?
The FAA-mandated and approved training includes dedicated return to service training in a 737 MAX simulator, computer-based training and classroom briefings. This training is designed to provide Boeing 737 pilots with an improved understanding of 737 MAX flight control systems and reinforce their technical knowledge of associated flight deck effects and operational procedures.
- How have the 737 MAX aircraft been maintained while they’ve been out of service?
American’s 737 MAX aircraft have been maintained by the best in the business. Our Technical Operations team has taken great care of our fleet of 24 737 MAX aircraft, which are all at our operations base in Tulsa. Throughout the past 20 months, our Technical Operations team has kept these aircraft in excellent condition as part of a comprehensive storage program that included regularly:
- Running the aircraft engines and auxiliary power units (APUs).
- Operating flight controls.
- Checking tires and fuel tanks.
- Exercising key systems.
- Monitoring the overall health of our aircraft.
- When will we return the 737 MAX to commercial service?
With FAA recertification of the 737 MAX, American plans to safely return the aircraft back to passenger service beginning Dec. 29, 2020.
- What if a customer doesn’t want to fly on a 737 MAX?
If a customer doesn’t want to fly on a 737 MAX aircraft, they won’t have to. In addition to the elimination of change fees for most customers announced in August 2020, in the immediate term, we’ll provide additional flexibility to ensure our customers can be easily re-accommodated if they prefer not to fly on the 737 MAX. And if their aircraft type ever changes to a 737 MAX, there is no end to the flexibility our customers will have. Customers can:
- Rebook on the next available flight in the same cabin — free of charge.
- Cancel their trip and receive travel credits redeemable with American Airlines.
- Change their itinerary within a 300-mile radius at no extra charge if there is no alternative American Airlines flight available to get them to their destination.
- Will customers know they are booked on a 737 MAX?
Yes. With enhanced notifications and clarity throughout the booking process, customers will be able to easily identify whether they are traveling on a 737 MAX even if schedules change. This information will be available on aa.com and the mobile app, and if they call our Reservations team.
- How will a customer know they are being re-accommodated on a 737 MAX?
As part of our enhanced notification process, if the aircraft type for a customer’s flight is changed to a 737 MAX, they will be notified via email or text if the swap occurs within 72 hours of departure. In the case of an equipment swap, any customer who doesn’t want to fly on a 737 MAX will be re-accommodated on another aircraft type at no additional charge.
Tell Me Why: “We made improvements not just for American, but for the industry as a whole.” — John DeLeeuw and Chris Hurrell
Facts & figures
What customers should know about the Boeing 737 MAX
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B-roll video
737 MAX Operational Readiness Flight (12/1)
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737 MAX DFW–TUL Takeoff and Landing (12/2)
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Photos
DFW to TUL (12/2)
TUL to DFW (12/2)
Aircraft interiors
Aircraft exteriors
Operational readiness
Tech Ops - Tulsa 737 MAX Return to Service Team