“If you could book a 737 500, and you find out it's a 737 MAX, technically they don't have to honor your request. … So you don't have a right to specify you are not going to go on a 737 MAX.”

Technically, you can refuse to board any aircraft you wish, but in 2026, doing so does not typically entitle you to a refund or a free rebooking. After the 737 MAX returned to service and proved its reliability through millions of flight hours, airlines discontinued the "flexible change" policies that allowed passengers to swap planes specifically to avoid the MAX. If you discover your flight is scheduled on a 737 MAX and you choose not to fly, the airline will treat it as a standard voluntary cancellation, meaning you may lose your fare or be charged a significant change fee. To avoid this, you should check the "Equipment" or "Aircraft Type" section during the booking process on sites like Google Flights or the airline's own app. Most major carriers like United, American, and Southwest clearly list the aircraft. However, airlines reserve the right to swap aircraft last-minute for operational reasons. In 2026, the 737 MAX is one of the most scrutinized and frequently flown aircraft in the world, but your ability to avoid it rests solely on your diligence during booking and your willingness to pay potential penalties for a late change.