On Dec. 29, American Airlines completed the first U.S. revenue flight on a Boeing 737 MAX since the aircraft was grounded nearly two years ago. The aircraft flew Miami (MIA)–New York (LGA) before returning to Miami. United Airlines plans to run its first MAX flights in early February; Southwest in the second quarter of 2021.

According to American Airlines, the MAX’s return to service was phased, with non-commercial flights in early December. Yesterday marked the return to commercial service with its two flights per day, through Jan. 4, 2021. More aircraft will be phased into the schedule throughout January, with up to 36 departures from Miami.

In order to train and prepare for the re-launch, the airline worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing, union leaders, pilots and safety and maintenance teams. The pilots completed FAA-approved training, which includes computer-based training, classroom briefings and rigorous 737 MAX simulator training. During the grounding, AA’s 24 737 MAX were maintained by running aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, operating flight controls, checking tires and fuel tanks, exercising key systems and monitoring the overall health of the aircraft.

The 737 MAX was grounded in March 2019 after two crashes. A Lion Air crash in October 2018 killed 189 people before the March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash killed all 157 people aboard. According to NBC News, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 57 percent of Americans said they were not likely to fly in a Boeing 737 Max when told of the plane’s history.

A House of Representatives investigative report in September assigned the crashes’ blame on Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration. However, in some good news for Boeing, Alaska Airlines recently ordered an additional 23 737 MAXes, for a total order of 68 aircraft. The airline is replacing older Airbus A320s and A319s.

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