What steps US airlines are taking to ensure the safety of passengers flying the 737 MAX 8

Two US carriers operate the 737 MAX 8, the same model involved in last year’s fatal crash in Indonesia that claimed 189 lives and the tragic crash in Ethiopia earlier this year that resulted in the deaths of 157 people.

American Airlines, which operates 24 of the 737 MAX 8 jets, stated on Monday that it is closely following the investigation in Ethiopia and adhering to the directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia.

The airline emphasized that it continues to work with the FAA and other regulatory bodies, expressing full confidence in the aircraft's safety, according to their statement.

The recent crashes of two new 737 MAX 8 jets within a short time frame have sparked heightened scrutiny of the aircraft, leading to grounding orders in several countries. Ethiopian Airlines, along with China and Indonesia, have grounded all 737 MAX 8s, and Cayman Airways has also made the decision to suspend its fleet of MAX 8 planes.

Southwest, with 34 737 MAX 8s in its fleet, stated that it has no plans to alter its operational policies and continues to have full confidence in the safety of its entire fleet. 'We have been in touch with Boeing and will closely monitor the investigation as it develops,' Southwest added in a statement.

The investigation is still in its early stages. Since the flight data and cockpit voice recorders were only retrieved on Monday, the two crashes have not yet been definitively linked. Many factors, such as bird strikes, weight imbalances, or pilot error, can contribute to an aircraft accident.

'It’s too soon to draw conclusions,' said John Goglia, a former National Transportation Safety Board member. 'My advice would be to exercise caution. We need to analyze the data thoroughly before deciding on the next steps.'

Goglia also suggested that airlines operating the 737 MAX 8 should be reassessing their flight training programs for the aircraft.

Behind the scenes at airlines

'The behind-the-scenes actions at airlines are more powerful than people realize,' said William Voss, former FAA deputy director and ex-CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation. 'If airlines detect a potential threat, they will act swiftly and independently to address it.'

Investigators probing the Lion Air crash suspect that a faulty angle of attack (AOA) sensor on the aircraft's exterior may have sent incorrect data, potentially triggering the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) to push the plane’s nose down.

Voss believes airlines operating the 737 MAX 8 have been 'intensifying sensor inspections' and ensuring that all relevant information is properly relayed to pilots. 'I would also maintain constant communication with Boeing,' he added.

In November, Boeing released an 'Operations Manual Bulletin' to guide airline operators on how to handle faulty cockpit readings. The bulletin directed operators to follow established flight crew protocols for dealing with incorrect data from an AOA sensor. The FAA also issued an emergency airworthiness directive, advising pilots on how to respond to similar issues.

Voss cautioned against excessive speculation regarding the investigation and warned that social media should not influence decisions. 'Social media may change how we perceive events, but it doesn't alter the laws of physics or human error,' he said. 'We cannot let it dictate our understanding of reality.'

United Airlines operates a different variant of the 737 MAX, the 737 MAX 9, with 14 currently in its fleet. While there have been no issues reported with the AOA sensors on the MAX 9, the FAA included this aircraft model in its November emergency directive.

How to determine if you’re flying on a 737 MAX 8

For passengers, there are three easy ways to confirm if you're booked on a 737 MAX 8.

1. Visit your airline’s website or app. By selecting your flight number, you can view which type of aircraft is assigned to your journey.

2. Check the plane's registration number on the FAA website. Before boarding, look for the registration number on the side of the aircraft, then enter it into the FAA’s registration database here.

3. Aviation apps like FlightRadar24 allow you to easily check which type of aircraft you're scheduled to fly on. Simply search for your flight number or use the app’s filter feature to track all 737 MAX 8s and other planes.