Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have asked Boeing not to install the newest flight-management software on their incoming 737 MAX aircraft after the manufacturer disclosed a glitch affecting automated navigation during a specific landing scenario. Both airlines have instead requested an earlier software version for new deliveries, according to reporting based on company documents and industry officials. Neither carrier currently has 737 MAX aircraft in service with the affected software version. TechSpot +1
The issue involves versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system used by the 737 MAX flight management computer. Under a specific sequence following a missed approach, pilots can change the aircraft’s planned flight path and lose access to an automated navigation function. The aircraft remains controllable, but the affected automation may not be available until the system is restored, increasing the amount of manual work required from the flight crew during a demanding stage of flight. CBS News +1
Boeing said it informed 737 MAX operators about the problem in August and reinforced existing procedures for handling the situation. The company is developing a permanent software update and has also been working on a procedure that can restore the affected navigation function when the conditions occur. Boeing has said the problem does not constitute a current safety risk, while the Federal Aviation Administration is evaluating the issue and has said it will take action if its review identifies a safety concern. Investing.com +1
The software issue was first brought to Boeing’s attention by an airline in November 2024, according to reporting based on company information. Boeing initially determined that the problem did not meet its criteria for a formal safety review, but further feedback from airlines led to a new review this month. The company subsequently shared its findings with the FAA, which is now examining the implications of the software behavior and the steps needed to address it. Investing.com +1
The timing is particularly relevant because Boeing is preparing to deliver the newly certified 737-7 and is seeking certification for the larger 737-10. The FAA has delayed certification of the 737-10 while it evaluates the software problem, adding another complication to the approval process for the final member of the current 737 MAX family. The FAA certified the 737-7 in August after an extensive review that included flight controls, system safety assessments and other safety-critical areas. Reuters +1
The affected software was developed as part of the aircraft’s flight-management and navigation systems rather than the MCAS flight-control system associated with the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. Reporting on the newly disclosed problem has emphasized that it does not remove the pilots’ ability to control the aircraft, distinguishing it from the flight-control issues involved in those earlier accidents. Boeing is nevertheless working with airlines, the FAA and the software’s developer on a permanent correction. The Wall Street Journal +1
For Southwest and United, requesting an earlier software version allows deliveries to continue without installing the affected code while Boeing works on its fix. The decision does not represent a grounding of their existing 737 MAX fleets, since both airlines have said their aircraft already in service do not use the software version involved in the issue. Other operators and regulators are also evaluating the problem as Boeing works toward a permanent update. TechSpot +1
The episode highlights the role software now plays in modern commercial aircraft, where changes to navigation and flight-management systems can affect certification, delivery schedules and airline operations even when the underlying aircraft hardware is unchanged. Boeing’s permanent fix remains under development, while the FAA’s review will determine whether additional regulatory action is required. For now, the airlines’ request for an earlier software version is a precaution taken while that process continues. Investing.com +1
