Your next flight could be on a troubled Boeing 737 Max jet – here’s how to check and rebook

THOUSANDS of passengers are being sold seats on Boeing 737 Max aircraft despite there being no date for when they will return to service.

Airlines such as American, United, Southwest, Icelandair, Norwegian and TUI are the main users of the troubled planes.

Passengers could find themselves booked onto a Boeing 737 MaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty

According to the Times, more than 32,600 flights have been scheduled across the five airlines later this year.

TUI, the only airline to use the aircraft from the UK, reportedly has hundreds of flights scheduled on the 737 Max in November and December.

British tourist Chuni Kahan, 57, was informed that his American Airlines flight to the Caribbean would be on a Boeing 737 Max 8 – but was denied a refund.

He booked the flight from Puerto Rico to Miami in December and was told last week that the aircraft model had changed to a Boeing 737 Max 8.

PLANE-ING IT SAFE How to check whether you’re flying on Boeing 737 Max 8

Chuni, who said he didn’t want to be treated like a “guinea pig” on the flight, said he would be buying new flights with his wife despite not being given a refund.

The booking of flights on the grounded aircraft could also result in flight cancellations if the ban continues, leading to more travel misery.

Passengers should be informed at the time of their booking if they are flying on the Boeing 737 Max.

If not, then the aircraft model can be checked using the free website Seat Guru which shows the plane being used for a particular flight number.

Boeing forced to store grounded 737 Max planes in its employee car park

The Boeing 737 Max was grounded earlier this year are two deadly plane crashes.

The Lion Air crash in October resulted in the deaths of all 189 people on board, while the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March killed all 157 passengers and crew on the plane.

This led to the CAA and the FAA banning the Boeing model from flying due to safety fears.

It was later confirmed that a new Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) system on board forced the plane’s nose down in some circumstances in order to stabilise the aircraft.

What are your rights if flying on a Boeing 737 Max?

Passengers who find themselves with tickets for the Boeing 737 Max are unlikely to be offered a refund.

Travel insurers are also unlikely to pay out.

However it is worth checking the terms and conditions, as the CAA explain it will depend per airline on whether they charge a cancellation fee.

Travel expert Frank Brehany told Sun Online Travel: “Unfortunately, such changes will be allowable under the companies terms and conditions and indeed within the terms and conditions of their supporting airlines.

“This they argue, gives them flexibility in operations.

“For consumers, there is little that they can do to confront this problem as the travel company would argue that they are completing their side of the bargain by delivering you to your chosen destination.”

For example, American Airlines states refunds can be given after buying a ticket if a change by the airline “results in a substitution of equipment not acceptable to the passenger”.

However, TUI “reserve the right […] to change the aircraft type for your flight”.

United Airlines state: “UA may substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, delay or cancel flights, and alter or omit stopping places or connections shown on the ticket at any time.”

Frank added: “If consumers get stuck, they should always make that written complaint, but seek help from their credit card issuer (Section 75 Consumer Credit Act), or, if they used a debit card, seek assistance from their bank under the ‘chargeback’ scheme.”