How Travellers Feel About Flying Boeing

Boeing, a prominent player in the aerospace industry, has faced significant issues recently, prompting a closer look at public sentiment. In a survey conducted among our readers, clear trends emerged regarding preferences and opinions surrounding Boeing's aircraft.

The survey (which had over 200 respondants) revealed that 54% of respondents indicated a preference for flying with Airbus, suggesting a notable shift in consumer trust. Despite this, 41% expressed willingness to fly either Airbus or Boeing aircraft, indicating a level of confidence still present in Boeing's offerings.

When asked about concerns regarding Boeing, 50% of respondents admitted to feeling uneasy about recent issues. However, only 27% stated they would actively avoid Boeing aircraft due to safety worries.

We were overwhelmed with comments from survey participants and have shared just a small selection below that echoed the general consensus.

• "I do believe Boeing Management need to make substantial improvements towards shop floor communications re safety related issues… too many shortcuts in [the]past decade & downgrade of previous worker’s input."
• "Maintaining an aircraft is the responsibility of each airline. These issues are maintenance issues not Boeing's fault."
• "With the total volume of aircraft flights on a daily basis, the odds of facing an incident are minuscule. It certainly raises the attention level that needs to be paid by all manufacturers. Boeing is in the spotlight right now, but I do believe they will get things resolved and move forward."
• "Boeing needs to reflect on the serious lack of a safety culture and rebuild the trust of airlines and the travelling public."
• "Problems with the older 737 800 and 777 with respect to external panels and wheels falling off would appear to be down to airline MRO procedures. However, the issues with the newer Max 737 models indicate major problems at Boeing. More attention to quality control and less attention to 'pushing product out the door' is required."
• "FAA and Boeing have been in bed too long plus Boeing have changed their focus from reliability to profit accountability rather than safety and good quality standards."
• "I'm definitely not flying 737 MAX at present until we get [a]resolution of [the] safety investigation at Boeing assembly plant. Who knows what other bolts are missing and rivets are not fitted properly. When will all the 737's be inspected? "
• "It all started the downhill slide when Boeing and the caustic culture of McDonnell Douglas came together."

Optimism was also evident, with some believing Boeing could overcome its challenges and regain trust through accountability and transparency.

One common theme was the impact of the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, with some attributing current struggles to cultural factors inherited from McDonnell Douglas. Regulatory oversight was also scrutinized, with suggestions that closer ties between Boeing and the FAA may have contributed to lapses.

Looking ahead, addressing concerns and implementing robust safety measures will be crucial for Boeing. Transparency and accountability will be key in rebuilding trust among airlines and passengers alike.

In summary, public sentiment reflects a mix of concerns and potential for recovery for Boeing amidst recent challenges

*Shared comments are 'just that' and reflect reader sentiment. These are not necessarily the opinions of the AirlineRatings team*