China has grounded its 7373 Max 8 (c) since the crash of a second Boeing jet in Ethiopia March 10, 2019 US airlines are standing behind Boeing despite the wave of countries and carriers grounding the 737 MAX, but fear has gripped crews and passengers, and many are refusing to fly on the plane.
Following the second deadly crash of one of its aircraft, some US politicians also have called for the plane to be grounded while the investigation continues, but regulators so far have not taken that step.
"Two brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes crashed in 5 months. If China has grounded all 96 of its 737 Max 8s, then Southwest, American, and United Airlines should really do something to reassure the American people that its 737 Max 8 airplanes are airworthy or ground them too," Maryland resident Eugene Gu said on Twitter.
A growing number of Americans are expressing similar doubts on social media, and some are cancelling or rebooking flights on this single aisle aircraft, which accounted for one-third of Boeing's profits in 2018.
Britain, Germany, France and three Asian countries have banned the plane from their airspace, and others have grounded them, and the Twitter hashtag #GroundBoeing737max8 was created to urge the US authorities to do the same.
What is my plane?
Southwest Airlines and American Airlines have been swamped with calls since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 on Sunday shortly after take off, which killed all 157 passengers and crew.
In the wake of a similar crash in October of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia, many American passengers aren't waiting for the investigations to conclude.
"We are fielding some questions from customers asking if their flight will be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8," Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said, adding that they are working with those who want to rebook on another flight at no charge.
That is not the case at American Airlines, which charges a fee for any change or cancellation, a spokesman said. The cost range from $200 for domestic flights to $750 for international flights.
And "fear" is not recognized by travel insurance as a reason to reimburse passengers for a flight cancellation.
Fear of flying
Pilots and flight crew also have grown increasingly cautious.
The Airline Personnel Union (APFA), which represents American Airlines employees, has told its members not to board a 737 MAX 8 if they do not feel safe.
The Association of Flight Attendants formally called for an investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration. "In the wake of a second accident, regulators, manufacturers, and airlines must take steps to address concerns immediately," it said.
Like the Airline Pilots Association, the AFA warned against jumping to conclusions.
But US politicians were less hesitant after Britain, China, Australia, Indonesia and others pulled the planes out of service.
Senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said, "The FAA should follow their lead, reverse their decision, and immediately ground this plane in the United States until its safety can be assured."
And Senator Mitt Romney said on Twitter, "Out of an abundance of caution for the flying public, the @FAANews should ground the 737 MAX 8 until we investigate the causes of recent crashes and ensure the plane's airworthiness."
The FAA said Tuesday the investigation of the latest crash continues, and it "will make decisions on any further steps based on the evidence."
In the wake of the Lion Air crash, the FAA ordered Boeing to update its manual and training requirements, and complete "flight control enhancements" including to its anti-stall systems no later than April.
Boeing chief Dennis Muilenburg lamented the latest tragedy, but had no doubts about the safety of the plane.
"We are confident in the safety of the 737 MAX," he said in an email to Boeing workers.
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