Ask HN: Would you fly on a Boeing 737 MAX?

3 pointsg4zj2mo ago5 comments

I asked this question two years ago, and I'm curious how views on the safety of this aircraft have changed since then.

My fear remains the same as it's always been, and I'm quite frustrated with myself for that. Perhaps I just need to get out there and take the supposed risk myself.

As an aside, the cumulative orders and deliveries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Boeing_737_MAX_orders_and_deliveries) combined with the number of daily flights by this aircraft (apparently 5,000+?) are at least a little comforting.

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Original discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39118342

Flying is one of my greatest fears, to the point where I require medication before each flight to avoid panic.

Despite doing my best to book flights which I am most comfortable with, I often worry about last-minute changes to my itinerary which somehow require me to board a Boeing 737 MAX to reach my destination. I feel like if this were to happen, however unlikely, I would not be able to continue my journey. I'd cancel the flight (or simply refuse to board).

Perhaps I'm behaving irrationally due to fear, but with all the news surrounding Boeing's quality control and this particular line of aircraft, I'm curious how others would feel flying in a 737 MAX? Would you be comfortable with it, or do you avoid it at all costs?

5 comments

vintagedave2mo ago

No. I also feel very worried on the 787 (the new fiberglass one.) Since the fiberglass body is entirely new tech, I don't trust that it will remain strong over time and I fear unknown and unexpected structural failures.

They have also made user-hostile choices. The new windows don't have window shades, and are very slow to change from light to dark (it's electricly dimmed.) But what is worse is the captain can, and does in my experience, dim them against your choice: for example, I've been in flights near storms and wanted to see the lightning, and been unable to; I've also wanted to see mountains, and been unable to. It made me feel very claustrophobic: I was not even allowed to look out the window. In all other flights on other aircraft, at night passengers were allowed to open their window shades: there is no light outside that would bother other passengers. This control felt arbitrary and, well, controlling.

I feel if that level of control is exerted I don't know what other decisions they've made that are not with the passenger interests in mind.

I try to avoid Boeing where possible, and look for Airbus flights. Where I can't, I try to avoid the 737 Max (earlier ones are ok) or the newer models.

rationalist2mo ago

Yes.

Fyi:

> How do I submit a poll?

> http://news.ycombinator.com/newpoll

Via Hacker News FAQ https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html

1 more reply

sleepyguy2mo ago

You are way more likely to get killed on the way to the airport.

As long as you pick an airline that has a good maintenance record, you have nothing to worry about. I don't know where you are flying from but most major carriers have good maintenance. I would not fly on charters or low cost carriers since they will do the minimum across their entire operation to reduce costs.

In the US, Delta, United, AA, South West all have decent/regular maintenance. In the EU, Lufthansa, KLM, BA, etc. I trust the low cost carriers in the EU more than the ones in the US, Ryan, Condor, Buzz, Whizz, etc are decent airlines for the price conscience traveler.

pestatije2mo ago

> I asked this question two years ago

beware survivor bias.

rvz2mo ago

If it's a Boeing, I am not going.

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