Boeing said it had found a software glitch in its 737 MAX that can shut off the automated navigation system after a missed approach. The defect surfaced when pilots altered the flight plan following an aborted landing, a scenario that forces them to fly manually without certain autopilot functions. The glitch was first reported by a MAX operator in November 2024, prompting an internal review that became formal only this month after more feedback arrived.
Boeing has called the problem a "software bug" and insists it does not pose a safety risk, but it notified operators in late August with instructions to reinforce existing pilot procedures. The company told airlines that engineers are working on a permanent patch that should be delivered early 2028, and that a procedure will allow pilots to restore the navigation feature if it fails.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now examining the issue and said it would act if the glitch creates an unsafe condition. The review could impact the recent approval of the MAX 7 and the pending certification of the MAX 10, whose operators include Southwest, United, Delta, American and Alaska. Those airlines have asked Boeing to use an earlier software version.
WestJet dismissed the glitch as non‑safety, citing standard operating procedures and training, while GE Aerospace, the software developer, is supporting the FAA's evaluation. Of the 2,422 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft operating worldwide, Alaska, American, Southwest and United have confirmed that none carry the affected software and can revert to the earlier version if needed.
In India, Akasa Air flies an all‑MAX fleet and Air India Express operates the 737‑8, but no carrier has been reported to have the flawed software and no flight disruptions have been documented. The glitch remains a close watchpoint for regulators as the industry pushes to keep the MAX family in service.
Boeing aims to accelerate its guidance schedule, targeting a November briefing and a permanent fix by 2028, while the FAA's investigation may delay the entry of new MAX variants into service pending the outcome. Airlines that have opted for the earlier software version will likely delay further deliveries until the patch is complete.