A US jury found Boeing not liable for lost revenue in a lawsuit filed by Polish airline LOT related to the grounding of 737 MAX jets, concluding the case on May 22, 2026, in Seattle federal court [1, 2].
LOT had sought $250 million in damages, alleging Boeing made false representations about the 737 MAX aircraft that led to the grounding and financial losses [1, 2]. The grounding lasted from March 2019 until November 2020 after two fatal crashes killed 346 people, sparking worldwide bans on the jets [1, 2]. Boeing admitted that a flawed flight-stabilizing system known as MCAS contributed to the crashes [1, 2]. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared the jets to fly again only after Boeing updated the MCAS in late 2020 [2].
The Seattle trial marked the first lawsuit from an airline over the 737 MAX to reach a jury verdict [1, 2]. Boeing released a statement expressing relief, with a company spokesperson saying, "We are gratified by the jury's verdict in our favour" [1]. LOT cautioned that it "will consider any further legal steps available to the Company under applicable law" [2].
Boeing has faced numerous claims related to the 737 MAX crashes, including lawsuits filed by victims' families. Most were settled out of court, though some recent jury awards have been made, including a $49.5 million award to the family of victim Samya Stumo in May 2026 and $28.45 million awarded to a widower in November 2025 [2]. About seven months earlier, a US judge dropped criminal charges against Boeing as part of a Department of Justice settlement tied to the crashes [2].
The verdict provides Boeing with a significant legal win as it continues to manage fallout from the 737 MAX incidents. LOT's next legal response will shape whether further proceedings follow.
