Which Boeing Planes to Avoid: 737 MAX, 787, and 777 Safety Records
A straightforward look at Boeing aircraft models, safety records, and what travelers should know before booking
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Boeing has faced intense scrutiny since 2018 when two 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people. The fleet was grounded worldwide for 20 months. Since returning to service in late 2020, the 737 MAX has logged over 2 million flights without a fatal accident. But public trust remains split. Here is what the data actually shows about each Boeing model flying today.
Boeing 737 MAX (737-8, 737-9, 737-10)
The 737 MAX is the plane most travelers worry about. Two crashes (Lion Air in October 2018, Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019) were caused by a faulty MCAS software system that pushed the nose down repeatedly. Boeing redesigned the software, added redundant sensors, and pilots now receive specific MCAS training.
Since the return to service, over 1,200 737 MAX aircraft are flying with 60+ airlines worldwide. Southwest operates the largest MAX fleet (over 200 planes). United, American, Ryanair, and Air Canada also fly the MAX extensively. The FAA, EASA, and every major aviation regulator cleared the plane after independent testing.
The January 2024 Alaska Airlines door plug blowout (737-9 MAX) raised new concerns. That incident was traced to missing bolts during manufacturing at Boeing's Renton factory, not a design flaw. Boeing has since slowed production and added quality inspections. No injuries resulted from the Alaska Airlines incident.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787 has never had a fatal accident in commercial service. It entered service in 2011 and over 1,000 aircraft are now flying. Early issues included lithium-ion battery fires in 2013, which led to a 3-month grounding. Boeing redesigned the battery containment system and the issue has not recurred.
In 2021-2022, Boeing paused 787 deliveries for over a year due to manufacturing quality gaps (fuselage shimming and skin flatness). These were manufacturing precision issues caught during inspection, not in-flight safety problems. Deliveries resumed and airlines continue expanding their 787 fleets.
Boeing 777 and 777X
The 777 is one of the safest widebody aircraft ever built. It has been flying since 1995 with over 1,700 aircraft delivered. The hull loss rate is extremely low. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific use the 777 as their backbone fleet.
The older 777 models with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines had a fan blade failure on United Flight 328 in February 2021. Debris fell on a Denver neighborhood but the plane landed safely. The FAA ordered inspections on all PW4000-equipped 777s. The newer 777 variants with GE engines were unaffected.
Boeing 737 NG (737-700, 737-800, 737-900)
The 737 NG (Next Generation) predates the MAX and does not have the MCAS system. It is the most widely flown narrow-body aircraft in the world with over 7,000 delivered since 1997. Southwest, Ryanair, and dozens of other carriers rely on the 737-800 for short and medium routes.
In 2023, the FAA ordered inspections on some 737 NGs after cracks were found in the pickle fork (a structural fitting connecting the wing to the fuselage). About 40 planes were grounded temporarily. The issue affected older, high-cycle aircraft and was addressed through inspection and repair.
Boeing 767
The 767 has been flying since 1982. Most passenger 767s have been retired or converted to cargo. Amazon Air, FedEx, and UPS operate large 767 freighter fleets. Delta and United still fly the 767-300ER and 767-400ER on transatlantic routes, though they are gradually being replaced by 787s and A330neos.
Airlines That Fly All-Airbus Fleets
If you want to avoid Boeing entirely, several major airlines operate all-Airbus fleets. JetBlue flies A220s and A321s exclusively. Frontier operates an all-A320neo fleet. IndiGo, the world's largest A320 operator, has no Boeing aircraft. Wizz Air, Vueling, and Spirit Airlines also fly Airbus-only fleets.
Hawaiian Airlines recently received its first 787 Dreamliners but still operates A330s for long-haul routes. EasyJet flies all-Airbus across Europe. Air Arabia, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia are also 100% Airbus carriers.
How to Check Which Plane Your Flight Uses
Most booking sites show the aircraft type during search. On Travorio, the aircraft model appears in the flight details. Google Flights shows the plane type next to the departure time. SeatGuru and FlightAware let you look up the specific aircraft assigned to your flight number.
Airlines can change equipment at any time, especially on domestic routes. The aircraft listed at booking may differ from what actually flies. If you have a strong preference, check again 24-48 hours before departure when assignments are more stable.
The Bottom Line on Boeing Safety
Flying remains the safest form of transportation by a wide margin. The fatal accident rate for commercial aviation is 0.07 per million flights. That includes all manufacturers, all airlines, all regions. Boeing's recent issues are real and the company has legitimate quality control problems to fix. But the actual risk of flying on any certified Boeing aircraft in 2026 is statistically negligible.
If Boeing makes you uncomfortable, choose airlines with all-Airbus fleets. If you want the best deals regardless of manufacturer, search flights on Travorio and pay with crypto or split into 4 payments with Sezzle, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
The 737 MAX has completed over 2 million flights since returning to service in late 2020 without a fatal accident. The MCAS system that caused the two crashes was redesigned with redundant sensors and new pilot training. Every major aviation regulator (FAA, EASA, CAAC) independently cleared the aircraft.
The 737 MAX had the most serious issues (two fatal crashes in 2018-2019, door plug blowout in 2024). The 787 Dreamliner had battery fires in 2013 and manufacturing quality pauses in 2021-2022. The older 777s with PW4000 engines had a fan blade failure in 2021. All issues were addressed through redesigns, inspections, or manufacturing changes.
JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit Airlines, IndiGo, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Vueling, Air Arabia, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia all operate all-Airbus fleets with zero Boeing aircraft.
Most booking sites including Travorio show the aircraft type in flight details. Google Flights displays the plane model next to departure times. SeatGuru and FlightAware let you look up the specific aircraft by flight number. Check 24-48 hours before departure for the most accurate assignment.
The 787 has never had a fatal accident in commercial service since entering service in 2011. Over 1,000 aircraft are flying with major airlines worldwide. Early battery issues in 2013 were resolved through a containment redesign. Manufacturing quality pauses in 2021-2022 were caught during inspection, not in flight.
Flying is statistically the safest form of transportation with a fatal accident rate of 0.07 per million flights. Boeing's quality issues are real but the actual risk on any certified Boeing aircraft is extremely low. If you prefer to avoid Boeing, airlines like JetBlue, Frontier, and EasyJet fly all-Airbus fleets.