Boeing and American Airlines complete first 737 MAX landing gear exchange program

Boeing and American Airlines have completed the first landing gear exchange on a 737 MAX. The exchange extends a maintenance program the manufacturer has run for years and applies it to the latest-generation narrowbody. The exchange supplied a fully refurbished, Boeing-certified landing gear assembly designed to reduce the time aircraft spend out of service for maintenance. Boeing's landing gear exchange program has long offered airlines an alternative to purchasing and storing expensive spare gear. Instead, operators can swap in a set of refurbished, certified assemblies when their own gear needs servicing, avoiding the lengthy out-of-service periods that come with a full on-site refurbishment.

First application on the 737 MAX platform

For the 737 MAX, this marks the first time the established process has been applied specifically to the platform. William Ampofo, Boeing's senior vice president of parts and distribution services and supply chain, said the milestone underscores the predictable, safe and cost-effective outcomes customers have come to expect. For the completed exchange, Boeing supplied refurbished and certified main and nose landing gear assemblies along with an installation kit, though wheels, tires and brakes were not included. The exchange validated the full set of program processes, from technical refurbishment and documentation through final delivery, confirming that the approach works consistently on the latest-generation MAX fleet.

Expanding global refurbishment capacity

Boeing is now expanding its global refurbishment capacity. The company is working with certified maintenance, repair and overhaul partners to broaden the program's availability and shorten delivery times. Recent focus areas include increasing the pool of MAX units available for exchange and adding forward-exchange positions closer to where customers actually operate. Boeing also plans to track operational metrics to quantify the program's downtime and cost benefits as it scales. The forward-exchange model allows airlines to avoid lengthy on-site refurbishments and the risk of extended groundings.

Operators can hold forward-exchange positions rather than carry expensive spare inventory themselves, freeing up working capital while improving overall fleet predictability.

Reducing inventory risk for operators

Boeing manages the technical refurbishment process, incorporates applicable service bulletins, handles certification matters and coordinates with suppliers. This arrangement shifts inventory and obsolescence risk away from the airlines themselves. Ampofo said extending the program to the 737 MAX gives operators another proven tool to shorten downtime, manage costs and align heavy maintenance with their broader operational needs.