United: No MAX, No Money

United Airlines’ tolerance for passengers concerned about flying on the Boeing 737 MAX ends Wednesday, 7 April.

In an effort to restore public confidence in the beleaguered aircraft, United has been offering nervous customers the opportunity to rebook on an alternative flight or receive a full refund.

No more. If you’re booked to fly on a United MAX, you must board or lose your money.

United has MAX aircraft based in Denver and Houston and is currently operating around 2,000 flights per month using the aircraft type. United returned the MAX to service in February after a 23-month absence since the type’s grounding in March 2019.

“We are fully confident in the safety of the 737 MAX, in the updates, and in the work technicians performed while these planes were on the ground,” an airline spokesperson said. Adding: “United is working to implement the recommendations and directives from independent regulators, including FAA-mandated changes to the flight software, additional pilot training, and multiple test flights for each aircraft to ensure the planes are ready to fly.”

A survey in late 2019 suggested that most Americans would switch to an alternative aircraft type if given the opportunity over fears about the safety of the 737 MAX. Other studies have concluded most casual travelers don’t even know they are flying on a MAX even when the branding on things like the in-seat safety card remains unchanged.

For an analysis of the Boeing 737 MAX history and related pilot training issues, read  FAA-Boeing Launching MAX 2.0.