Big US Boeing customers want the 737 MAX but say contracts need re-set

Two of Boeing's biggest commercial airline customers said on Thursday they are still committed to the 737 MAX despite delays in its return to flight and the coronavirus pandemic, though the head of Southwest Airlines said contracts need to be "completely reset." Boeing is behind on hundreds of 737 MAX deliveries since regulators grounded the jet worldwide last year in the aftermath of two crashes that together killed 346 people. Since then, airlines' financing on jet orders has expired, forcing a scramble by Boeing to arrange new financing as it awaits regulatory approval for design changes. American Airlines CFO Derek Kerr said the carrier is in "good discussions" with Boeing to finalize financing terms on 17 737 MAX jets that were to be delivered this year, adding that the airline still wants its full order for 100 MAX planes, over time. "We totally plan on taking those aircraft," Kerr said on a quarterly conference call. "Just when we take them is the discussion that we're having."<br/>