Update: Market Chatter: Boeing Discovers Software Glitch on 737 MAX Planes That Could Affect Landings

05:37 AM EDT, 09/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Boeing's response in the fifth and sixth paragraphs.) Boeing (BA) has discovered a software glitch in its 737 MAX planes that could cause navigation system failures and raise safety concerns during landings, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing a document it examined. The glitch takes place during cockpit software updates, which occur when planes change their flight paths after a missed approach and could force pilots to fly manually, the report said. Boeing, airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, are assessing the issue, the Journal reported. Southwest Airlines (LUV) and United Airlines (UAL) have informed Boeing they don't want new planes with the flawed software and have requested an earlier software version, the report said, citing industry officials. In an emailed statement to MT Newswires, Boeing said it has informed all 737 operators about the software issue last month. "We informed all 737 operators about a software issue where pilots may not have access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario," a spokesperson said. "We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases. Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue." United said in an email that it does not currently have any 737s operating with the new software and is not taking deliveries of new aircraft with the software. Southwest and the FAA did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)