The Boeing 737 MAX is still flying commercially in 2026, including in India, after returning to service following a worldwide grounding that lasted about 20 months. The aircraft was redesigned and subjected to additional regulatory reviews after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
The 737 MAX's history is serious: two fatal crashes killed 346 people. At the same time, the aircraft currently operating has gone through regulatory changes, software updates, pilot-training requirements and additional oversight.
Safety note: This article is for general information and is not a guarantee about the safety of any individual flight. Aviation safety depends on the aircraft, airline, crew, maintenance, operating conditions and regulatory oversight.
Is the Boeing 737 MAX safe now?
The Boeing 737 MAX has been cleared to operate by aviation regulators after the changes required following the 2018 and 2019 accidents.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the 737 MAX grounding in November 2020 after a 20-month review process. The FAA said its review addressed the safety issues involved in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents.
That does not mean the aircraft's history should be ignored. The MAX remains one of the most heavily scrutinised commercial aircraft programs because of those crashes and later manufacturing-quality concerns.
In 2026, the FAA continues to conduct inspections, audits and monitoring of Boeing's production processes. In July 2026, the agency said it had seen enough consistent production-quality data to allow Boeing to resume issuing airworthiness certificates for new 737 MAX aircraft under FAA oversight.
Why did the Boeing 737 MAX fail?
The question is more complicated than saying the aircraft simply "failed."
The two fatal accidents were Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019. Both involved Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The accidents resulted in 346 deaths.
Investigations identified problems involving the aircraft's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a flight-control system designed to respond to certain aerodynamic conditions.
In the accidents, erroneous angle-of-attack sensor information contributed to the system repeatedly commanding nose-down movements. The FAA's return-to-service work subsequently involved changes to the flight-control software, pilot training and other safety measures.
The history also raised questions about the aircraft's original certification and oversight process. The FAA later carried out a much more extensive review before allowing the aircraft to return to passenger service.
How many Boeing 737 MAX planes have crashed?
There have been two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX before its worldwide grounding:
| Flight | Airline | Date | Aircraft | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion Air Flight 610 | Lion Air | October 29, 2018 | 737 MAX 8 | 189 |
| Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 | Ethiopian Airlines | March 10, 2019 | 737 MAX 8 | 157 |
| Total | — | — | — | 346 |
The FAA specifically identifies these two accidents as the events that led to the MAX grounding and subsequent return-to-service process.
It is important not to combine every later 737 MAX incident with these fatal crashes. For example, the January 2024 Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX door-plug incident was a serious event, but the aircraft did not crash and there were no fatalities. The FAA required inspections and corrective maintenance before affected aircraft returned to service.
Are any Boeing 737 MAX planes still flying?
Yes. 737 MAX aircraft continue to operate passenger flights in 2026.
The MAX 8 and MAX 9 are among the variants already in commercial service, while newer members of the family are going through certification and entry-into-service processes.
In August 2026, the FAA issued an amended type certificate for the 737 MAX 7, clearing that variant for commercial service.
The larger 737 MAX 10 had completed its planned certification flight testing by July 2026, with remaining certification work still underway at that time.
So when someone asks whether the 737 MAX is still flying, the answer is clearly yes.
Is the Boeing 737 MAX used in India?
Yes. Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are used by airlines operating in India.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation said in 2024 that 56 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft were registered and operating in India, including aircraft operated by Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air.
The Indian MAX fleet has since changed. SpiceJet ended its 737 MAX operations in September 2026, according to recent reporting, while Air India Express and Akasa Air continue to operate MAX aircraft.
Akasa Air reported in July 2026 that it had reached 40 aircraft, all of them Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and had an order for 226 MAX aircraft.
Air India also announced an additional order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in January 2026, comprising 20 737-8s and 10 737-10s.
Which Indian airlines use the Boeing 737 MAX?
The Indian airline picture has changed over time.
As of 2026, Akasa Air and Air India Express are among the Indian operators using 737 MAX aircraft, while SpiceJet has recently ended its MAX operations.
| Airline | Boeing 737 MAX status |
|---|---|
| Akasa Air | Operates 737 MAX aircraft |
| Air India Express | Operates 737 MAX aircraft |
| SpiceJet | Ended 737 MAX operations in 2026 |
What changed after the 737 MAX crashes?
The aircraft did not simply return to service unchanged.
The FAA's return-to-service process included changes to the flight-control system and pilot training. The regulator said its review took approximately 20 months before the aircraft was cleared to return to commercial service.
The certification process also received greater scrutiny.
The FAA continues to monitor Boeing's production system, including manufacturing quality, safety-management processes and compliance with approved aircraft designs.
Newer MAX variants have also undergone additional certification work. For example, the FAA said the MAX 7 certification included work involving flight controls, system safety, human factors and flightcrew alerting.
Is the 737 MAX the same aircraft that crashed?
The aircraft family is the same, but the post-grounding aircraft incorporates required changes.
The two fatal crashes involved the 737 MAX 8. The MAX family now includes different variants, and aircraft returning to service underwent the regulatory modifications and training requirements established after the accidents.
That distinction matters because saying simply that "the same plane is flying again" leaves out the certification and modification process that occurred after the grounding.
At the same time, the 737 MAX's later incidents have kept attention on Boeing's manufacturing and quality-control systems.
Should passengers avoid a Boeing 737 MAX?
Passengers ultimately make their own travel decisions, but the available regulatory record is more useful than judging an aircraft solely by its model name.
The 737 MAX has been certified to fly by major aviation authorities following the grounding and required corrective measures. The FAA continues to oversee Boeing's production and safety processes.
However, aviation safety is not determined by one aircraft model alone. Airline maintenance, crew procedures, airport operations, weather and many other factors are also involved.
What is the biggest concern surrounding the 737 MAX today?
The concerns in 2026 are broader than the original MCAS issue.
The 2018 and 2019 crashes remain central to the MAX's safety history, but subsequent incidents have also put Boeing's manufacturing and quality-control processes under scrutiny.
In January 2024, for example, the FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft after the Alaska Airlines door-plug incident and required inspections and corrective work before they could return to service.
The FAA's continuing production oversight shows that regulators are still paying close attention to Boeing's manufacturing processes rather than treating the return-to-service decision as the end of the safety review.
FAQ
Is the Boeing 737 MAX safe now?
The 737 MAX has returned to commercial service after extensive regulatory review and required changes following the 2018 and 2019 crashes. Regulators continue to oversee its operation and production.
How many Boeing 737 MAX planes have crashed?
Two fatal 737 MAX crashes occurred before the worldwide grounding: Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. Together, they killed 346 people.
Is the Boeing 737 MAX used in India?
Yes. 737 MAX aircraft continue to operate in India, including with Akasa Air and Air India Express. SpiceJet ended its MAX operations in 2026.