Boeing Faces June Trial Over 737 MAX Crashes After Plea Deal Rejected

A U.S. judge has set a trial date for Boeing's criminal case, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s legal battle over the crashes that killed 346 people.

Judge Reed O'Connor has scheduled Boeing's criminal trial for June 23, 2025, following the rejection of a plea deal last December.
The plea agreement was rejected due to concerns over a diversity provision tied to the selection of an independent compliance monitor.
Boeing is reportedly negotiating with the Department of Justice to revise its guilty plea or remove the requirement for an independent monitor.
Victims' families advocate for a public trial, criticizing previous settlements as insufficient in holding Boeing accountable for its role in the crashes.
The crashes in 2018 and 2019 were linked to flaws in Boeing's MCAS system, which contributed to the deaths of 346 people and led to a 20-month grounding of the 737 MAX fleet.