Boeing 737 MAX Groundings: Here’s What You Need To Know

Following last month’s tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, airlines and government regulating authorities have grounded the Boeing 737 MAX. The decision was based on two deadly accidents involving the aircraft model within five months of each other, the first being October 2018’s Lion Air Flight 610.

Airlines are now faced with the challenge of replacing their MAX routes, which shuttle about 175 passengers, while travellers are presented with disruption to, and confusion about, their travel plans.

To assist those affected by Boeing 737 MAX’s suspended flights, we’ve provided carrier website links for up-to-date details on your travel status, as well as cancellation and rebooking policies.

Boeing 737 MAX updates

Below is information on groundings affecting Air Canada and WestJet:

Air Canada

Air Canada announced that due to its cancelled routes operated by the Boeing 737 MAX, it would have to delay certain seasonal flights that launch in the spring.

Canada’s national carrier has pulled 24 of the MAX aircraft from its fleet. Relaunch is forecasted for July 1st.

Information on Air Canada’s MAX grounding can be found here.

WestJet

WestJet reassigned its Boeing 737 MAX fleet routes to other aircraft in compliance with Transport Canada's grounding.

Most of the trips affected were domestic and are now being reassigned to other aircraft models.

Questions and answers regarding WestJet’s MAX grounding can be found here.

Help is here

For additional information, please contact your Flight Centre travel consultant. We are here to mitigate the impact of these groundings and ensure your travel plans are safe and seamless.

Reach us at 1-866-485-7014 or email Customer Relations at customer.service@flightcentre.ca

Flight Centre Canada’s collective thoughts remain with the airline crash victims’ families.