United Airlines will resume passenger flights on the embattled Boeing 737 MAX in February 2021 out of two hubs. The return of the United 737 MAX follows months of preparation.
United Airlines Announces Start Date For 737 MAX Return
Live and Let’s Fly revealed last month that United will base its restarted 737 MAX service out of two hubs, Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH). We now know that service is expected to begin on February 11, 2021.
In a memo to employees, United again reiterated how safe these aircraft are and how tested they will be ahead of the February re-launch:
Safety has been and always will be our top priority, and it’s something we will never compromise for any reason. As we said when we announced the FAA certification of the MAX last month, United won’t fly the MAX until we have completed more than 1,000 hours of work on every aircraft, including FAA-mandated changes to the flight software, additional pilot training, multiple test flights and meticulous technical analysis.
At this point, the aircraft will not be reflected in schedules until the schedule update the weekend of January 6, 2021. In that sense, it is too early to tell if your flight from Denver or Houston will feature the 737 MAX.
What If I Don’t Want To Fly On The United 737 MAX?
United has made clear in prior communication and on its website that passengers who do not wish to fly the 737 MAX will not have to.
If you do not wish to fly on a MAX aircraft, we will rebook you at no charge or refund your ticket. This includes domestic ticket changes, Basic Economy tickets and international tickets if you move from one of our MAX flights to one of our non-MAX United or United Express flights. If your original itinerary involved another carrier, we will attempt to rebook you on your original airline on a non-MAX flight as well.
CONCLUSION
United will resume 737 MAX flights on February 11, 2021 from Denver and Houston. Check bag after the first weekend in January for final aircraft assignments for the February schedule. If your flight is assigned a 737 MAX, you can move to another flight for free or even refund your ticket.
I booked a ticket yesterday IAH-LAX on 20FEB and it was already reflected in the schedule. Before confirming, It notified me that one of my flights was operated by the MAX and advised that I change my schedule if I wanted to take another aircraft (or something similar).
LOL… good luck with the 737 MAX. It won’t be long before they start dropping out of the sky again.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/18/22189609/faa-boeing-737-max-senate-report-coverup-tests-whistleblowers
Only if they allow incompetent pilots to fly it.
Nope, still not flying on it. Watch for 7M7, 7M8 or 7M9 in the flight details. (737-7, -8, -9 respectively.)