Boeing 737 Max seen as ‘airplane non grata’ by wary travellers

US airlines have their work cut out for them in trying to coax frightened travellers back onto Boeing’s 737 Max once a worldwide grounding ends. At least 20% of US travellers say they will definitely avoid the plane in the first six months after flights resume, according to a study led by consultant Henry Harteveldt. More than 40% said they’d be willing to take pricier or less convenient flights to stay off the Max. A separate UBS Group AG survey found that 70% would hesitate today to book a flight on Boeing’s best-selling jet. “Travellers aren’t merely scared of the 737 Max, they’re terrified of it,” Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, said in the report, which was released Tuesday. “The 737 Max is, for now, an ‘airplane non grata’ -- a plane passengers do not want to fly.” The surveys underscore the challenge looming for Boeing as it seeks to regain public trust after two deadly crashes and a global flying ban that’s nearing the three-month mark. Boeing is finalizing a software fix for a flight-control system malfunction linked to the accidents, as well as proposed new pilot training. Regulators in the US and other countries say there’s no timeline for when the plane will resume flights. Only 14% of US passengers would definitely fly on a 737 Max within six months of its return, according to the online study for Atmosphere of 2,000 US airline passengers from April 27 to May 1.<br/>