I flew on American's Boeing 737 Max and found the airline doing the bare minimum to inform passengers they were booked on the notorious plane

American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8
An American Airlines' Boeing 737 Max 8. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
  • American Airlines is the largest Boeing 737 Max operator, averaging over 50 daily flights.

  • But passengers might be wary of the aircraft, which crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.

  • I flew from New York to Miami on the Max and found American wasn't forthcoming about the aircraft.

  • Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

American Airlines was the first US airline to fly the Boeing 737 Max after its 20-month grounding by the Federal Aviation Administration. Its first flight was on December 29, from Miami to New York.

The airline has been quickly reincorporating the Max. It had over 50 daily departures in February and plans to increase that to nearly 100 in March.

With no incidents since its ungrounding, the Boeing 737 Max saga appears to finally be over. The aircraft had flown more than 2,700 times as of late January, Boeing said, and more countries have approved its return to service.

But the aircraft remains infamous, and airlines are walking a fine line with transparency about the Max.

On the one hand, airlines want to make people aware that they're flying on an aircraft that crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. On the other hand, they don't want to scare people.

As the first US airline to fly the plane again, American was the first to tackle this challenge.

Here's what flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max is like in 2021.

Our plane was a two-year-old Boeing 737 Max that had been delivered to American in December. Boeing has been clearing out its delivery backlog since the ungrounding, and a lot of airlines have received long-awaited orders.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I was flying on the same route - Miami to New York - on which American first launched the Max in 2018 and on which it relaunched the aircraft in December. Most of American's Boeing 737 pilots should know the route like the back of their hand.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

American didn't hide the fact that we were flying on the Max, but you could see it only if you knew where to look. The aircraft type was shown in a small font when I was searching for flights ...

AA Boeing 737 Max
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider via American Airlines

Read More: The Boeing 737 Max just returned to US skies with American Airlines — here's how to tell if you're flying on the plane

... after booking ...

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider via American Airlines

... and when selecting a seat.

AA Boeing 737 Max
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider via American Airlines

Unlike United Airlines, American didn't explicitly tell me when I tried to book a flight that I'd be on a Max. Both airlines are allowing passengers to change their flight for free if they don't want to fly on a Max.

United Airlines Boeing 737 Max
Flying on a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. Thomas Pallini/Insider via United Airlines

Read more: US airlines are allowing passengers to avoid the Boeing 737 Max as it returns to the skies in the coming months — here's how

At the airport, I couldn't find the Max name when I was printing a boarding pass ...

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... reviewing trip details ...

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... or selecting a seat.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Not even gate signage revealed our aircraft type.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

American's gate agents now inform passengers of their aircraft in a general announcement. But if you arrived late or weren't paying attention, you might miss it.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Boarding began, and it was a nearly full flight, suggesting that the prospect of flying on a Boeing 737 Max wasn't too scary for most people. That, or they didn't know or care about the type of aircraft.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

There were also very few opportunities during boarding to tell that this was a Max. The view of the aircraft was obstructed by the jetway ...

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

And there were no markings at the boarding door or in the forward galley. But that's common: Most airlines don't emphasize aircraft type on most models.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The passenger cabin consists of a 16-seat first-class cabin ...

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... and a 156-seat economy cabin, with 30 extra-legroom "main cabin extra" seats.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The cabin is one of American's newest. It was part of the airline's "Project Oasis" aiming to add seats to the airline's narrow-body aircraft.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Each regular economy seat has 30 inches of pitch and is 16.6 to 17.8 inches wide.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Source: SeatGuru

First-class seats are large recliners with 37 inches of pitch and 21 inches of width.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Source: SeatGuru

I found my economy seat to be quite enjoyable for the three-hour flight to Miami.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

This aircraft had Boeing's "Sky Interior" cabin with mood lights that change with each flight phase.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Overhead bins were also noticeably larger, as I was able to fit my jacket on top of my carry-on.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But for an ultra-modern plane, the seatbacks were noticeably bare. American, like United, opted for streaming entertainment instead of seatback screens on the Max fleet.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Amenities at the seat included a device holder ...

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... a USB charging port ...

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... an adjustable headrest ...

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

... and a 110-volt AC power outlet.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

In-flight WiFi through Gogo was available with free Apple Music usage.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

It's an incredibly modern interior with numerous amenities, even if it's missing seatback in-flight entertainment.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But the modern design didn't change the fact that we were on a Max, and the aircraft's interior gave no hints to the average traveler.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Not even the safety card gave any clues.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

American's uses the 737 designation for both the Max and the Next Generation aircraft, as they're technically the same family. While accurate, it's a bit disingenuous.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Here's United Airlines' Boeing 737 Max safety card.

United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9
Flying on a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The flight was full, and it was clear the Max wasn't scaring away too many passengers.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Our plane looked nearly identical to the non-Max Boeing 737 next to us. A keen observer might notice the difference in wing tips - but once you're on board, the differences aren't immediately clear.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

With the boarding door closed, it was time to take to the skies.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The two CFM International LEAP-1B engines started up, and we made our way to the runway.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Unsurprisingly, neither the flight attendants nor the pilots used the word "Max" during their announcements.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

At that point, however, there's not much to be done; just before takeoff isn't the time to tell people that they're flying on a newly ungrounded aircraft.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The takeoff from LaGuardia was smooth and uneventful on the cold February morning.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I'll admit I was a bit nervous to be flying on the Max.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But as we climbed over New York City, my worries abated.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

With the suspense of takeoff behind us, the flight attendants began the usual in-flight service. They distributed a snack bag with pretzels, a water bottle, and a sanitary wipe.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

It appeared that this would be a normal flight.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Until we entered the clouds, that is. Turbulence rattled the plane worse than I'd experienced in over a year, and all the fears of flying on a Max came back to me.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Had this been any other plane, I could've accepted that this was just turbulence and that we'd be in no danger. But fear is irrational.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But the Max handled it well, and we were in clear skies again before I knew it.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I took a quick walk around the cabin. The turbulence didn't appear to have rattled too many passengers. Most were still asleep or seemed calm.

Flying on American Airlines during pandemic
Flying on American Airlines during the pandemic. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The Max does have some cool features - notably the mood lighting.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

When it was time to land, orange lights illuminated the cabin to gently wake passengers.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Bright white lights then fully woke up the cabin for landing so we'd be alert in case of an emergency.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

As Miami came into view, my worries about the aircraft vanished.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The rest of the flight was smooth as silk. We touched down on Miami's Runway 12.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I got a quick look at the updated cockpit shortly after landing. Pilots now receive four hours of training on a Max simulator in addition to about three hours of classroom training.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Airport signage did say it was a Boeing 737 Max 8. This varies from airport to airport. American's signage did not say the aircraft type.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Every safe Max flight like this one paves the way for American to rebuild its fleet to pre-March 2019 strength. But I did wish that the airline was more proactive in letting passengers know they're booked on the plane.

Flying on American Airlines Boeing 737 Max.
Flying on an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider