Boeing 737 MAX in Canada: Safety, Models and Airlines
Loading article…
The Boeing 737 MAX flies across Canada: Air Canada, WestJet and Flair all operate the 737 MAX 8. No Canadian airline operates the MAX 9, the model involved in the Alaska Airlines door incident in January 2024. We explain what has happened since 2019, what has changed and how you can tell in advance which aircraft you will be flying on.
To get our analysis of Canadian airlines and the best points offers, create your free member account: you can also choose the newsletters that interest you there.
What is the Boeing 737 MAX?
The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the 737, Boeing's best-selling single-aisle aircraft. Launched in 2011 to compete with the Airbus A320neo, it cuts fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20% compared with the aircraft it replaces, according to Boeing.
The family has four models. The 737-7, the smallest, received FAA certification on August 3, 2026, with Southwest as launch customer. The 737-10, the largest, is still awaiting its own. In Canada, in practice, you will fly on a 737 MAX 8.
| Model | Seats | Maximum range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 737-7 (MAX 7) | 135 to 160 | 7,040 km | Certified by the FAA on August 3, 2026 |
| 737-8 (MAX 8) | 160 to 180 | 6,480 km | In service at Air Canada, WestJet and Flair |
| 737-9 (MAX 9) | 175 to 195 | 6,110 km | In service at Alaska, United, Copa and Aeromexico |
| 737-10 (MAX 10) | 185 to 210 | 5,740 km | Awaiting FAA certification |
2019: The Worldwide MCAS Grounding
Two 737 MAX 8 crashes, Lion Air in October 2018 and then Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019, killed everyone on board and led to the grounding of the 737 MAX worldwide. In Canada, the Minister of Transport closed Canadian airspace to the aircraft in March 2019 as a precaution.
Subsequent investigations revealed problems with the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System). The MCAS was designed to automatically correct the flight angle to avoid stalling, but was identified as a major contributing factor in both accidents. Air regulators around the world have decided to ground all 737 MAX aircraft pending modifications and safety checks.
Boeing then modified the MCAS software and revised pilot training, working with civil aviation authorities. In Canada, Transport Canada lifted its ban on January 20, 2021, after requiring additional procedures and crew training.
This episode also changed what happens before your flight even takes off: aviation authorities thoroughly overhauled their aircraft certification and safety procedures.
January 2024: The MAX 9 Door Plug
On January 5, 2024, shortly after takeoff from Portland, the left mid exit door plug of an Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX blew out in flight. The crew of flight 1282 returned to land in Portland. Here are the four things that followed:
- Grounding: the FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft fitted with this plug pending an enhanced inspection and maintenance process.
- Return to service: the aircraft flew again in late January 2024, once that process was completed on each of them.
- Production: the FAA barred Boeing from increasing the 737 MAX production rate.
- Cause: in June 2025, the NTSB concluded that the bolts securing the plug had not been reinstalled at the factory, due to a lack of adequate training, guidance and oversight at Boeing.
How to recognize a Boeing 737 MAX?
You can recognize a 737 MAX by four details visible from the boarding gate or your window:
- The winglets: the 737 MAX has Boeing's Advanced Technology winglet, whose tip splits into two points, one pointing up and the other down.
- The engines: CFM International LEAP-1B engines, larger than those on the 737-800, with a nacelle that ends in a serrated chevron edge.
- The flight deck: large display screens replace the instruments of earlier 737 generations.
- The "MAX" lettering: some airlines display it on the fuselage, near the front door or on the tail.
Bear in mind that these features may vary depending on the airline and the aircraft’s specific configuration.
If it matters to you to choose your aircraft, check the flight details before you book: whether you search on Google Flights or directly on the airline's website, the aircraft type is clearly shown.
Is the Boeing 737-800 reliable?
The Boeing 737-800 is considered a safe and reliable aircraft, and has been on the market for a very long time. It is part of the 737 family, one of the world’s most successful commercial aircraft series.
What sets the 737 MAX apart from the 737-800: more fuel-efficient LEAP-1B engines, redesigned winglets, a flight deck with large displays and the MCAS system, which the 737-800 does not have. You will still find 737-800s at WestJet and Flair, alongside their 737 MAX 8s.
The 737-800 has a good reputation for operational performance and safety. It is widely used by many airlines around the world for short- to medium-haul flights.
Which Airlines Fly the 737 MAX in Canada?
You will find the 737 MAX at the three Canadian airlines that operate it, and at several foreign carriers that serve Canada:
- Air Canada: 737 MAX 8
- WestJet: 737 MAX 8
- Flair Airlines: 737 MAX 8
- Alaska Airlines: 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9
- United: 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9
- Copa Airlines: 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9
- Aeromexico: 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9
- American Airlines: 737 MAX 8
- Icelandair: 737 MAX
Lynx Air, which also flew the 737 MAX 8, ceased operations on February 26, 2024. This list is not exhaustive: always check the scheduled aircraft when you book.
The 737 MAX 8 at Air Canada, WestJet and Flair
No Canadian airline operates the 737 MAX 9: Air Canada, WestJet and Flair fly only the 737 MAX 8. That is why their flights were not affected by the January 2024 grounding.
At Air Canada, the 737 MAX 8 is the only member of the MAX family in the fleet. You will mostly find it on domestic routes, flights to the United States and sun destinations, on short- and medium-haul trips.
WestJet flies 69 Boeing 737 MAX 8s on its domestic, transborder and sun routes, according to its fleet page. In September 2025, the airline also announced the purchase of 60 Boeing 737-10s, with options on 25 more: these aircraft are still awaiting FAA certification.
Flair Airlines, the Edmonton-based low-cost carrier, also flies the 737 MAX 8 alongside its 737-800s.
To spot the aircraft before you book, remember the codes: Air Canada lists the 737 MAX 8 as 7M8 on its fleet page and in its schedules, and the 737 MAX 9 carries the code 7M9 at the airlines that operate it.
Keep an eye on codeshare flights: a flight sold under an AC number may be operated by United, which flies the 737 MAX 9. The "Operated by" mention shown at booking tells you which airline, and therefore which aircraft, you will actually board.
Should You Avoid the Boeing 737 MAX?
We see no reason to avoid the 737 MAX when flying from Canada. The MCAS fixes have been in place since Transport Canada lifted its ban in 2021. The Alaska Airlines door plug came down to a manufacturing defect the NTSB attributed to Boeing, on a model no Canadian airline operates. If you would still rather fly another aircraft, the aircraft code shown at booking lets you choose your flight with full knowledge.
Do you often fly Air Canada, on a 737 MAX or not? The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card gives you your first checked bag free, for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same booking, when your trip starts on an Air Canada flight. Its annual fee is $139.
Featured
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,139
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Boeing 737 MAX safe today?
Transport Canada lifted its ban on the 737 MAX on January 20, 2021, after the MCAS fixes and additional crew training it required. Air Canada, WestJet and Flair have flown the aircraft since. The MAX 9 involved in the Alaska Airlines incident is not operated by any Canadian airline.
Does Air Canada fly the Boeing 737 MAX 9?
No. Air Canada's official fleet page lists only the Boeing 737 MAX 8, coded 7M8 in schedules. If you see a MAX 9 on a flight sold by Air Canada, it is a codeshare flight operated by a partner such as United.
How can I tell if my flight is on a 737 MAX?
The aircraft type appears in the flight details on Google Flights and on the airline's website when you search. Also check the operating carrier: on a codeshare flight, the partner's aircraft flies, not the plane of the airline that sold you the ticket.
What is the difference between a 737 MAX 8 and a 737 MAX 9?
The 737-9 has three more seat rows than the 737-8, for 175 to 195 seats versus 160 to 180, according to Boeing. Its range is slightly shorter: up to 6,110 km, versus 6,480 km for the 737-8.
What is a door plug on an aircraft?
It is a panel that closes off an emergency exit the airline does not need, given the number of seats installed. From the cabin, it looks like a regular wall panel. This is the part that blew out on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 in January 2024.
Will the 737 MAX 10 fly in Canada?
In September 2025, WestJet announced the purchase of 60 Boeing 737-10s, with options on 25 more. The 737-10 is still awaiting FAA certification, which Boeing was targeting for 2026; first deliveries will follow that approval.
Is a Boeing 737-800 a 737 MAX?
No. The 737-800 belongs to the previous generation, known as the Next Generation, and does not have MCAS. WestJet and Flair still fly 737-800s alongside their 737 MAX 8s: check the aircraft code to know which one you will board.
