Boeing believes that pilots should not be required to complete training in a flight simulator prior to flying the 737 Max once the grounding is lifted by regulators. Boeing's chief executive Dennis Muilenburg confirms Boeing is instead developing computer-based training, though it intends to offer flight simulator time as an option later to some airlines’ pilots.
“We believe that the right training right now is computer-based training,” Muilenburg said during the company’s annual general meeting on 29th of April. Muilenburg describes flight simulator training as a “downstream” option available “where it makes sense” and based on airlines’ “individual needs”. “We will be providing enhanced training and supplemental materials to our airline… customers,” he said.

Two days after conducting its maiden flight, the first ACJ319neo set a new record for the longest flight made by an Airbus-crewed A320-series aircraft. The VIP narrowbody with upgraded engines flew from Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to northern Greenland and back on 26 April, with the mission lasting 16h 10min. Airbus describes the exercise as an "endurance flight that included a simulated diversion under 180min [extended twin-engine operations]", for which the A320 family is already certificated. The record prior to this one was set in 1999, when an Airbus-crewed ACJ319 made a 15h 15min flight routing from Santiago to Paris.

US based carrier Southwest Airlines, says its not expecting its pilots to undergo simulator training as part of a process to return the Boeing 737 Max to service, as the carrier stresses its crew are capable to handle the problem that has emerged as a common link between two fatal crashes of the aircraft type. "We are not hearing that will be a requirement," chief executive Gary Kelly told analysts on an earnings call on 25 April, in response to questions on whether pilots will have to undergo simulator training ahead of the aircraft's return to service."Managing the aircraft in a runaway stabiliser scenario is something that we've already covered," says Kelly, saying the airline is "the most experienced 737 operator in the world".