Kraków 2025-06-15
Return to flight operations B-737-8 MAX:
The planes were grounded from March 2019 to March 2021. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), after a thorough and comprehensive review of the improvements to the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, has cleared the modified version of this aircraft for return to flight operations. According to this decision, after undergoing appropriate software and electrical updates, as well as crew training, the aircraft can take to the air again.
The review conducted by EASA in cooperation with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration; United States) – the main certifying authority and Boeing, as the manufacturer, lasted a total of 20 months. As part of it, EASA conducted, among other things, its own flight tests and simulator tests. The results of the review led to the creation of a package of actions necessary to allow the aircraft to operate air services, specified in the Airworthiness Directive.
The flight control computer software, including MCAS, was updated. A software update was performed, allowing an alarm to be signaled in the event of a discrepancy between the aircraft’s two angle of attack (AoA) sensors. The cables running from the cockpit to the stabilizer trim motor were physically separated. Updated the flight manual: operational limits and revised the procedure to ensure pilots have the knowledge necessary to understand and manage all failure scenarios. Mandatory training for all 737-8 MAX pilots prior to resuming flights. Updated pilot initial and recurrent training. Tested systems, including the angle of attack (AoA) sensor system. Conducted an operational preflight, without passengers, prior to commercial operation of each aircraft.
Additional procedures at PLL LOT: At PLL LOT, before including the aircraft in the network, it was decided to implement additional safety measures, in the form of reliability flights, which were performed by two instructors and a mechanic. During the flight, additional verification of all aircraft systems was carried out at operational limits, including at an altitude of 41,000 feet. In this way, it was checked whether all systems were working properly and responding to the pilot’s commands. Each of the five Boeing B-737 MAX machines underwent such several-hour tests. As part of the effective preparation of PLL LOT staff to fly the modified version of the B-737-8 MAX.
Intensive crew training was carried out: All pilots underwent professional theoretical training describing all systems of the B-737 MAX aircraft. The next step was training on simulators, consisting of demonstration and practical practice of procedures. All sessions were conducted by Boeing instructors. Each pilot performed several flights on a simulator. The Cabin Crew also underwent additional training.
Boeing B-737-8 MAX.
The Boeing B-737 MAX is a twin-engine, narrow-body jet aircraft manufactured by the American concern The Boeing Company. This model is one of the most popular narrow-body jet aircraft of all time, manufactured in various versions since 1967. The aircraft has the latest technological solutions; in engines, wings and a cabin and cockpit refined in every detail.
The B-737 MAX passenger cabin was designed according to the unique Boeing Sky Interior concept, also used in the Boeing B-787 Dreamliner cabin. Characteristic features of this concept include special cabin soundproofing, ergonomic shapes of equipment elements, eye-friendly lighting and easily accessible and spacious luggage compartments. The beauty of the interior is emphasized by dynamic LED lighting. Additionally, the light intensity is adjustable and can be adjusted to needs, for example to the current time of day.
The B-737 MAX combines the latest design solutions with technology proven in Dreamliner aircraft. As a result, the new engines are quieter and more efficient, so the MAX has a greater range and is more environmentally friendly. The MAX also has better aerodynamics than its predecessors. Ultra-modern wings, thanks to their characteristic split winglet tips, create less drag and have greater lift. Thanks to the thermal, the MAX burns less fuel and emits less CO2. LOT Polish Airlines has been using B-737 aircraft for over 25 years. Their new generation is equally reliable and durable, and at the same time more technologically advanced.
The first B-737 MAX aircraft arrived in Poland in 2017. In 2021, PLL LOT had 5 B-737-8 MAX aircraft. However, EnterAir and Ryanair also had B-737-8 MAX aircraft with Polish registrations. In 2022, LOT ordered another 7 Boeing B-737 MAX aircraft. The carrier will receive all the aircraft in October 2022. The new aircraft arrived in Poland as a result of the bankruptcy of BlueAir (Romania), which went bankrupt and did not receive the ordered aircraft. In PLL LOT, the aircraft are operated in the form of operational leasing from the American company Air Lease Corporation. Initially, the aircraft were used in the BlueAir livery. The aircraft have 189 seats on board, each of which is equipped with a USB port. Since 2017, i.e. since the beginning of using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, LOT Polish Airlines has saved nearly 8,300 tons of aviation fuel. This allows the B-737 MAX aircraft to fly over 3 million kilometers, or 79 times around the globe. The aircraft were grounded from March 2019 to March 2021, as a result of the global grounding of the B-737-8 MAX, due to two disasters. In 2025, the LOT Polish Airlines fleet consisted of 12 Boeing B-737 MAX 8 aircraft. In addition, LOT also has 6 Boeing B-737-800NG aircraft. LOT plans to acquire another 8 B-737 MAX 8 aircraft by mid-2025.
Enter Air currently has 8 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet. The carrier’s fleet consists of 30 Boeing B-737s, including 22 older 737-800 models and 8 newer 737 MAX 8s. Enter Air is waiting for another Boeing 737 MAX 8 to be delivered.
Ryanair has 406 B-737-800 and B-737-8 MAX aircraft. Ryanair also has 162 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft. These aircraft, called “Gamechanger” by the carrier, are in a high-capacity configuration, with a capacity of 228 passengers. Ryanair is the largest operator of this aircraft model in Europe.
T-T Boeing 737-8 MAX data: Wingspan 35.91 m. Length 39.52 m. Height 12.42 m. Fuselage diameter 3.76 m. Maximum take-off weight 76,999 kg. Number of passenger seats 186. CFM LEAP-1B engines. Cruising speed 839 km/h. Maximum fuel capacity 20,653 kg. Operating ceiling 12,000 m. The aircraft has 3 toilets and 2 galleys on board.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman