Miloch
March 12th 19, 03:34 AM
https://gizmodo.com/which-u-s-airlines-operate-the-boeing-737-max-8-1833200705
The Boeing 737 Max-8 is one of the newest commercial airplanes in the sky. But
after yesterday’s crash that killed 157 people in Ethiopia, it’s already
involved in two of the deadliest crashes of the past few years. Sadly, another
Boeing 737 Max-8 crashed in Indonesia this past October, killing 189 people.
China and Indonesia have grounded all of their Max-8 planes, but the two
U.S.-based carriers that operate the Max-8, American Airlines and Southwest Air,
have no plans to stop using the aircraft. No other U.S.-based airline currently
has the Max-8.
“Our heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the passengers and
Employees on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,” a spokesperson for Southwest said
in an email to Gizmodo. “We remain confident in the safety and airworthiness of
our fleet of more than 750 Boeing aircraft.”
Southwest has ordered 250 of the Max-8 model from Boeing, but currently has just
34 operating in its fleet. American Airlines ordered 100 from Boeing and
currently has 24 in operation.
“American continues to collaborate with the FAA and other regulatory
authorities, as the safety of our team members and customers is our number one
priority. We have full confidence in the aircraft and our crew members, who are
the best and most experienced in the industry,” a spokesperson for American
Airlines told Gizmodo over email.
It’s too soon to know what caused the crash in Ethiopia, but the plane may have
experienced similar problems to the Lion Air flight that crashed in October.
Both crashes happened shortly after takeoff after pilots reportedly experienced
issues controlling altitude. In the case of the Lion Air flight, the plane was
apparently getting false readings from sensors. After that crash, Boeing is said
to have issued a warning that automated systems could push the nose of the plane
down, causing it to abruptly dive.
“Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 airplane,” Paul R. Bergman, a
spokesperson for Boeing, told Gizmodo via email. “We extend our heartfelt
sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board
and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team.”
“A Boeing technical team will be travelling to the crash site to provide
technical assistance under the direction of the Ethiopia Accident Investigation
Bureau and U.S. National Transportation Safety Board,” said Bergman.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not ordered anyone to stop using
the Boeing 737 Max-8, but customers are understandably concerned. Some people
are even taking to social media to tell Southwest and American that they’ll be
cancelling their flights because they want to avoid that particular aircraft.
How can you tell what kind of plane you’ll be on? The best resource online is
called SeatGuru. Just type in your airline’s name, the date you’re flying, and
the flight number.
The 737 Max-8 is advertised as having the “widest economy seat” of all the 737s.
But that extra room might not be worth it when two Max-8 aircraft have fallen
out of the sky.
*
The Boeing 737 Max-8 is one of the newest commercial airplanes in the sky. But
after yesterday’s crash that killed 157 people in Ethiopia, it’s already
involved in two of the deadliest crashes of the past few years. Sadly, another
Boeing 737 Max-8 crashed in Indonesia this past October, killing 189 people.
China and Indonesia have grounded all of their Max-8 planes, but the two
U.S.-based carriers that operate the Max-8, American Airlines and Southwest Air,
have no plans to stop using the aircraft. No other U.S.-based airline currently
has the Max-8.
“Our heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the passengers and
Employees on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,” a spokesperson for Southwest said
in an email to Gizmodo. “We remain confident in the safety and airworthiness of
our fleet of more than 750 Boeing aircraft.”
Southwest has ordered 250 of the Max-8 model from Boeing, but currently has just
34 operating in its fleet. American Airlines ordered 100 from Boeing and
currently has 24 in operation.
“American continues to collaborate with the FAA and other regulatory
authorities, as the safety of our team members and customers is our number one
priority. We have full confidence in the aircraft and our crew members, who are
the best and most experienced in the industry,” a spokesperson for American
Airlines told Gizmodo over email.
It’s too soon to know what caused the crash in Ethiopia, but the plane may have
experienced similar problems to the Lion Air flight that crashed in October.
Both crashes happened shortly after takeoff after pilots reportedly experienced
issues controlling altitude. In the case of the Lion Air flight, the plane was
apparently getting false readings from sensors. After that crash, Boeing is said
to have issued a warning that automated systems could push the nose of the plane
down, causing it to abruptly dive.
“Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 airplane,” Paul R. Bergman, a
spokesperson for Boeing, told Gizmodo via email. “We extend our heartfelt
sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board
and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team.”
“A Boeing technical team will be travelling to the crash site to provide
technical assistance under the direction of the Ethiopia Accident Investigation
Bureau and U.S. National Transportation Safety Board,” said Bergman.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not ordered anyone to stop using
the Boeing 737 Max-8, but customers are understandably concerned. Some people
are even taking to social media to tell Southwest and American that they’ll be
cancelling their flights because they want to avoid that particular aircraft.
How can you tell what kind of plane you’ll be on? The best resource online is
called SeatGuru. Just type in your airline’s name, the date you’re flying, and
the flight number.
The 737 Max-8 is advertised as having the “widest economy seat” of all the 737s.
But that extra room might not be worth it when two Max-8 aircraft have fallen
out of the sky.
*