737 MAX at Heart of Boeing's Comeback Efforts

Boeing's comeback story is closely tied to its 737 MAX model, which has been at the center of the company's slump in recent years. The aircraft has seen significant developments since its introduction in 2011, with key milestones including its certification by US regulators in 2017 and its first commercial flight soon after.

In 2018, a series of crashes involving the 737 MAX led to a global grounding of the jet, which had far-reaching consequences for Boeing. The company acknowledged that flaws with a software program called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) played a role in the crashes and subsequently suspended deliveries of the 737 MAX.

After a period of production suspension, Boeing resumed production at low volumes in May 2020 and eventually cleared to resume service by international regulators. The company has also made significant investments in its quality control processes, with an FAA audit giving it 90 days to devise a plan for upgrades.