The Boeing 737 Max made its official return to U.S. skies Tuesday, more than 20 months after the aircraft was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration and about six weeks since it was recertified.
American Airlines' Flight 718, the first commercial 737 Max flight by a major U.S. airline since its recertification Nov. 18, departed from Miami shortly before 10:30 a.m. EST and arrived at New York LaGuardia a little early at 1:12 p.m.
The airline has one of the largest 737 Max fleets in the USA – 24 planes at the time of the aircraft's grounding in March 2019.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said at the time of recertification that the Dallas-based carrier, which had 34 of the planes when they were grounded, doesn't anticipate putting the 737 Max on the schedule before spring 2021. The airline confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday that the plane is not on its 2021 schedule yet.