Boeing, American Airlines Achieve Key 737 MAX Maintenance Milestone

Image: An American Airlines 737 MAX on takeoff. (Photo Credit: Boeing)
Image: An American Airlines 737 MAX on takeoff. (Photo Credit: Boeing)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Mon September 14, 2026

Boeing and American Airlines have announced the successful completion of the first landing gear exchange for a 737 MAX.

The milestone comes as the American aircraft manufacturer extends its longstanding Landing Gear Exchange Program to the MAX platform.

The fully overhauled Boeing‑certified main and nose landing gear assemblies arrive ready to install, therefore reducing aircraft on‑ground time and easing spare‑parts burdens for airlines.

"This milestone reinforces what our customers have known for years: Boeing's Landing Gear Exchange capability delivers predictable, safe and cost‑effective outcomes," William Ampofo, senior vice president, Parts & Distribution and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services, said in a statement.

"Extending the program to the 737 MAX gives operators another proven tool to shorten downtime, manage costs and align heavy maintenance with operational needs,' added Ampofo.

Boeing said it is "increasing global overhaul capacity and coordinating with certified MRO partners to expand geographic availability and shorten lead times."

In the near term, the company wants to prioritize "enlarging 737 MAX‑capable exchange inventory, adding forward‑exchange slots close to customer operations, and tracking operational metrics to quantify downtime and cost benefits as the program scales," Boeing said on Monday.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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