TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin 737 MAX 8

Am booked to SXM on one of these new aircraft this Saturday.
With the recent ban of these aircraft in Western European airspace including airspace of France and Netherlands, I'm wondering if the ban applies to SXM.
Has anyone seen anything official?

Most likely depends on which airline you are with. So far the FAA has not required nor has (as of this writing) any US based carriers banned the use, but this is a rapidly changing story. I'd keep an eye on your reservations incase the airline changes equipment and/or time of the flight.

I'm still trying to figure our the difference between a 737 MAX 8 and the 737-800. Are they one in the same? I also read that the 737-800 is called a 738 now. I'm really confused.

max has a tiny bathroom, upgraded engines and sharklet wingtips, serrated wing cowlings,


the wingtips are the big tip off. Max has sharklets.(they split and go up and down) vs winglets on the 738(737-800) which just go up.

Thank you for the clarification. One less confusing thing cluttering my aging brain.

I guess no one knows if the airspace is under the purview of the EU?

Thanks Captain, i have also been trying to figure it out as we are schedule for the 737-800, B738 aircraft. As near as i could tell they are not the same as the Max.

Boeing 737 Information

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737

Check your flights on seatguru.

AFAIK, American Airlines is the only carrier using them (relevant to SXM discussion). Ive seen them at LGA, but I didnt pay attention to whether or not I saw them at SXM. I just recall seeing AA's 738s , 757s and Airbuses (and I think a 767....) Anyway.

Air Canada has a flight there tomorrow. It was originally a MAX 8. They’ve changed it the 767. Thinking the EU ban applies to the island.

It is not, Sint Maarten, as independence country is responsible for their own regulation of aviation in Sint Maarten. It is one of the reasons they have a category 2 rating from the FAA which SXM is working on to fix.

Relevant

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-find-out-if-youre-booked-on-a-737-max-and-what-t-1833243838

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_member_state_territories_and_the_European_Union

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/cana...-airspace-to-boeing-737-max-8/ar-BBUGo2Z

Clearly a difference in categorization between Sint Maarten and St Martin with respect to EUness. If Grand Case were a bigger airport, I suspect 737 Max foights would be suspended similarly to Guadaloupe and Martinique.

I just wonder haw many flight schedules will be affected as they shift equipment to accommodate Max 8's taken out of service and being replaced with other planes.

Transport Canada has just announced grounding and prohibition of over flies of and by Max 8's.
So...I await notification by Air Canada of equipment change for our Saturday flight to SXM.

Are you on an actual Max 8?

I was.
Waiting for AC to reallocate equipment.
AC has 24 MAX 8's

Trump has just announced that US FAA is grounding all MAX 8's and 9's from US airspace.

Partly because Canada did earlier.

Correct

Saint Martin is considered part of the EU because it is an overseas department of France. Sint Maarten, as an OCT (Overseas Countries & Territory) has a relationship with the EU as part of the Kingdom of the Neterlands, but is not considered part of the EU. All EU rules apply at Grand Case, but not at PJIA.

Sint Maarten officially issues temporary restrictions on the 737 Max 8/9. Story here.

Airspace is interesting... If you have ever taken a real estate law course you would find out that you own the airspace over your property where planes fly. What is alarming with this 737max8 is it was not pilot error but the AI on the aircraft that crashed it into the ground. The pilot was not able to take control of the plane. Makes you think if driverless cars are really a good idea?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...g-trump-kim-summit-sources-idUSKCN1QB16C

We just bailed on our AC flight...got all my points/fees/taxes refunded.
Now booked direct on AIR TRANSAT's 737-700 at 6:20 AM Saturday.
AC could not assure me that they would find another plane in their hanger although they well may but I opted not to deal with the uncertainty related to AC cancelling and TRANSAT selling out .
Paid out of pocket.
A lot of work!

2 American 737 Max's just landed at our local airport for storage, more are expected

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/...grounded-boeing-max-8-planes/3168353002/

Letter from AA emailed to me.
A message from American Airlines

Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including the 24 MAX aircraft operated by American. We have complied with the directive, which does not apply to our fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Teams throughout the airline have been working tirelessly to minimize the impact to you, our customers. We appreciate your patience and understanding with us during this busy travel period, and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

American is working in close coordination with the Department of Transportation, FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory authorities, in addition to our union leaders and Boeing, to closely monitor the accident investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. American regularly monitors aircraft performance and safety parameter data across our entire fleet, which is operated and maintained by our highly-experienced and well-trained team, contributing to American’s exemplary safety record.

Whether you’re traveling with us today, this week or this year, be assured the safety and security of our customers and team members is always our top priority and we will never operate an unsafe aircraft. Thank you for your continued confidence in American and in our 130,000 team members.

Thank you for flying with us.

I received that also.

Boeing to upgrade software.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/b...on-737-max-sources/ar-BBUPcMh?li=BBnbcA1