The 737MAX is back despite delays

 The long-grounded plane, after two fatal crashes in a few months, can finally take to the air again. Since aviation safety authorities certified the 737 MAX's modifications, the plane seems to be regaining the hope airlines had in it before 2020.

The 737 MAX-8 seems to be back on track after a 2 year grounding.

As a reminder, the 737MAX was grounded with a passenger ban for 20 months, the longest flight ban in aviation history.

On November 18, 2020, the FAA cleared the 737 MAX to return to service after several safety modifications following the Lion Air and Ethiopian crash. Brazil and the United Arab Emirates followed the FAA at that time. On January 27, 2021, EASA, the authority in charge of Europe, also certified the aircraft, with the UK CAA in parallel. In February 2021, Australia joined the countries authorizing the return of the 737 MAX. Finally, India has cleared the aircraft to fly again in August 2021.

New orders 

As of October 2022, Boeing has booked 122 orders for a catalog value of $7.9 billion. A total of 106 single-aisle and 16 widebody aircraft were ordered. Alaska Airlines placed an order for 52 Boeing 737 MAXs, IAG (British Airways, Iberia, etc.) for 50 Boeing 737 MAXs, American Airlines for 1 aircraft and an unidentified customer for 3.

New deliveries 

Deliveries have resumed this year. In particular, Boeing delivered the last aircraft of a 40-aircraft order from Air Canada.

In October, Boeing delivered 35 airplanes, up from 51 the previous month. The manufacturer delivered 37 single-aisle and 14 wide-body aircraft, with a total value of $3.9 billion. A total of 23 Boeing 737s were delivered, including one Boeing P-8A and 22 Boeing 737 MAXs.

New orders already appear to be on the horizon with Skymark Airlines, Malaysia Airlines. Airlines that already operate Boeing aircraft prefer to keep their Boeing fleet. One of the factors driving airlines is the ease for pilots and maintenance crews to switch from 737-800s to 737 MAX 8s.

Boeing and Airbus are now competing over Air India's upcoming mega order. This order could involve 300 single-aisle aircraft and 70 wide-body aircraft.

The 737-MAX10, a new growth  

The stretched version seems to have found its customers. Boeing is targeting national and especially American airlines, and is signing new orders. Qatar Airways has ordered 25 737 MAX 10s, and the first flight tests of the 737MAX-10 are scheduled for 2023, with entry into service in 2024.

The short version, the 737MAX 7, also behind schedule

Boeing hopes to finalize certification of the 737-7, the shortened version of the 737 MAX in 2023. The Boeing 737 MAX 7, which can accommodate 153 to 172 passengers, was designed to replace the Boeing 737-700. A total of 286 Boeing 737 MAX 7s have been ordered to date, with by far the largest order from Southwest Airlines, which is expected to receive 234 of the variant. The other two airlines awaiting delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 7 are Allegiant Air (30) and WestJet (22).

The larger Boeing 737 MAX 10 will seat up to 230 passengers in an all-economy configuration. A total of 920 Boeing 737 MAX 10s have been ordered to date, with the largest orders coming from United Airlines (250), VietJet Air (106) and Delta Air Lines (100).

Despite the doubts and the current economic climate, orders continue to come in for Boeing. It remains to be seen whether Boeing will be able to catch up with Airbus in the last two years.