Airlines on Thursday scrambled to remove Boeing 737 Max 8s
and 9s from their routes and rebook passengers after the FAA grounded all
Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the wake of an Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed
157 people.
Southwest Airlines said it removed its 34 Max 8 aircraft
from scheduled service, noting that the aircraft represents less than 5% of its
daily flights. The airline said any customer booked on a canceled Max 8 flight can rebook on alternate
flights without any additional fees or fare differences within 14 days of their
original date of travel between the original city pairs.
Southwest said it remained confident in the Max 8 after completing
more than 88,000 flight hours and over 41,000 flights, but that it supported
the FAA's action.
United, which operates Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft on 40
flights per day, said, "We do not anticipate a significant operational
impact as a result of this order. We will continue to work with our customers
to help minimize any travel disruptions and will proactively contact any
customer whose travel may be impacted by this order."
American Airlines, which operates 24 Boeing 737 Max 8s, said
it would "work to rebook customers as quickly as possible."