No
The Boeing 737 MAX is not currently grounded by the FAA.
In January 2024, the FAA temporarily grounded certain 737 MAX 9s (the ones with the mid-cabin door plug) after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Those aircraft returned to service after FAA-required inspections and corrective work.
The 737 MAX was previously grounded for 1 year, 8 months, and 8 days after the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes.
In January 2024, the FAA temporarily grounded certain 737 MAX 9s (the ones with the mid-cabin door plug) after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Those aircraft returned to service after FAA-required inspections and corrective work.
The 737 MAX was previously grounded for 1 year, 8 months, and 8 days after the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes.
Grounding Info
The Boeing 737 MAX was first grounded by Ethiopian Airlines on 10 March 2019, following the MCAS-induced crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.
On 11 March 2019, the Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first major regulator to suspend all operations of the 737 MAX 8. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency followed suit and prohibited all 737 MAX flights in EU airspace on 12 March 2019. On 13 March 2019, the US Federal Aviation Administration grounded the 737 MAX aircraft (overriding an affirmation of continued airworthiness issued two days prior).
On 18 November 2020, the FAA cleared the MAX to return to service once necessary repairs had been made.
On 05 January 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 (a Boeing 737-9) suffered an uncontrolled decompression after the left mid-cabin exit door plug separated in flight shortly after takeoff from Portland.
In its final report, the NTSB found evidence that the four bolts meant to secure the door plug were missing, and that the plug moved upward over prior flight cycles until it departed the airplane. The NTSB's probable cause cites Boeing's failure to provide adequate training, guidance, and oversight for its parts removal / rework process, with FAA oversight called out as ineffective.
The incident airplane had prior cabin pressurization AUTO FAIL warnings, and Alaska restricted it from certain extended-range operations. The NTSB found no evidence those AUTO FAIL events were associated with the door plug's movement.
On 06 January 2024, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2024-02-51 and temporarily grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 airplanes with the mid-cabin door plug configuration. On 24 January 2024, the FAA approved an inspection and maintenance process; aircraft were eligible to return to service after completing it.
In late 2023 Boeing asked the FAA for a time-limited exemption tied to the MAX 7's engine inlet anti-ice / de-icing issue. Boeing later withdrew the exemption request. As of early 2026, the MAX 7 and MAX 10 are still waiting on FAA certification.
On 11 March 2019, the Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first major regulator to suspend all operations of the 737 MAX 8. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency followed suit and prohibited all 737 MAX flights in EU airspace on 12 March 2019. On 13 March 2019, the US Federal Aviation Administration grounded the 737 MAX aircraft (overriding an affirmation of continued airworthiness issued two days prior).
On 18 November 2020, the FAA cleared the MAX to return to service once necessary repairs had been made.
On 05 January 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 (a Boeing 737-9) suffered an uncontrolled decompression after the left mid-cabin exit door plug separated in flight shortly after takeoff from Portland.
In its final report, the NTSB found evidence that the four bolts meant to secure the door plug were missing, and that the plug moved upward over prior flight cycles until it departed the airplane. The NTSB's probable cause cites Boeing's failure to provide adequate training, guidance, and oversight for its parts removal / rework process, with FAA oversight called out as ineffective.
The incident airplane had prior cabin pressurization AUTO FAIL warnings, and Alaska restricted it from certain extended-range operations. The NTSB found no evidence those AUTO FAIL events were associated with the door plug's movement.
On 06 January 2024, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2024-02-51 and temporarily grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 airplanes with the mid-cabin door plug configuration. On 24 January 2024, the FAA approved an inspection and maintenance process; aircraft were eligible to return to service after completing it.
In late 2023 Boeing asked the FAA for a time-limited exemption tied to the MAX 7's engine inlet anti-ice / de-icing issue. Boeing later withdrew the exemption request. As of early 2026, the MAX 7 and MAX 10 are still waiting on FAA certification.