Why is Boeing 737 banned?

The Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and December 2020 ? longer in many jurisdictions ? after 346 people died in two crashes: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019.



As of early 2026, the Boeing 737 is not banned; the vast majority of the fleet, including the 737 Next Generation (NG) and the previously grounded 737 MAX 8 and 9 models, are in full commercial service worldwide. The "ban" or "grounding" often referred to was the 20-month global suspension of the 737 MAX following two tragic accidents in 2018 and 2019. Those issues, primarily linked to the MCAS flight control software, were resolved with extensive hardware and software updates and new pilot training requirements. Currently, in 2026, the only "restrictions" involve the ongoing certification of the two remaining variants: the smaller MAX 7 and the largest MAX 10. These models have faced delays due to the FAA's requirement for Boeing to redesign the engine anti-ice system and cockpit alerting logic to meet higher safety standards. Boeing expects these final variants to be certified by late 2026, with deliveries to major airlines like Ryanair and Southwest following shortly after. While the program remains under intense regulatory oversight, the 737 continues to be one of the most widely used and reliable narrow-body aircraft in the global aviation industry.

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The Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and December 2020 – longer in many jurisdictions – after 346 people died in two crashes: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019.

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Despite the FlyersRights concerns, the FAA, Boeing and many pilots deem the 737 MAX safe to fly and many airlines have the plane in service. “I can say categorically that the 737 MAX product is safe,” then-acting FAA administrator Bill Nolen told members of the US Senate Commerce Committee in March.

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According to experts, the model (737-800) is considered to be the safest aircraft ever made. The 737-800 belongs to the aviation giant's next-generation aircraft which also includes 600, 700, and 900.

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There is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable inference that these passengers experienced pre-impact fright and terror, and that experience is part of the 'process or manner of death,' U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso in Illinois wrote in his ruling, rejecting Boeing's motion.

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The Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts are returning to the skies. If there is an aircraft that you want to avoid it is this one. The 737MAX has been responsible for the deaths of 346 people in 2 separate plane accidents.

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It was found that Boeing had more accidents than expected, while Airbus had fewer (p = 0.015). In terms of fatalities, Boeing had more than expected, with Airbus fewer (p < 0.001). Looking at accidents alone, only the number of fatalities was statistically significantly different.

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September 24, 2023 A single-engine Beechcraft BE23 crashed in a field near Roger M Dreyer Memorial Airport in Gonzales, Texas, around 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, September 24. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

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However, particularly high praise should be given to older aircraft, such as Boeing's 737-600 and 737-900 models, that have never had a hull loss, despite having been in service since the turn of the century.

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Ryanair has never had a fatal crash
Ryanair has an excellent safety record. In its 37 years of existence, there have been zero passenger or crew member fatalities.

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ARLINGTON, Va., May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ryanair announced Europe's leading low-cost airline has selected the largest 737 MAX model to power its future growth with an order for up to 300 airplanes.

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?The truth is that far fewer people will actively avoid flying on the Max than claim they will do so in a research study,? said Harteveldt. And this is likely even with the majority of travelers checking what type of plane they are flying on before they travel.

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In a separate filing cited by the Journal, attorneys for the families wrote that the 157 people onboard undeniably suffered horrific emotional distress, pain and suffering, and physical impact/injury while they endured extreme G-forces, braced for impact, knew the airplane was malfunctioning, and ultimately plummeted ...

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This treaty stipulates that if an airline is found at fault for an accident, each affected passenger is to get a minimum value equal to 113,100 special drawing rights. This type of plane crash compensation currently equals approximately $170,000 per passenger.

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Ryanair has been recognized for its safety Ryanair has a safety rating of 7 out of 7 from AirlineRatings.com. Ryanair was named one of AirlineRatings.com's Top Ten Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2022.

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While AirlineRatings.com does not officially release rankings for the least-safe airlines, the following carriers featured at the bottom of the list with one-star rankings: Nepal Airlines (Nepal), Airblue (Pakistan), Sriwijaya Air (Indonesia), Blue Wing (Suriname), Pakistan International Airlines and Air Algerie ( ...

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