Full Breakdown
Jury Finds Boeing Not Guilty in LOT Polish Airlines 737 MAX Fraud Suit
5/23/2026, 9:07:31 AM
Core Event: Jury Verdict on Boeing Fraud Claims
On 22 May 2026, a federal jury in Seattle concluded a two-week trial and found Boeing not liable for fraud claims brought by Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A. (LOT Polish Airlines). LOT alleged that Boeing concealed a critical change to the 737 MAX’s flight-control system—known as MCAS—when the aircraft were delivered a decade earlier. The airline sought monetary relief for losses it attributed to the subsequent grounding of the jets. After roughly three hours of deliberation, jurors returned a not-guilty verdict.
Background & Context: 737 MAX Crashes and Grounding
The 737 MAX was grounded worldwide from March 2019 until November 2020 after two fatal accidents—Lion Air Flight 610 (October 2018) and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (March 2019)—that together claimed 346 lives. Investigations identified the MCAS software as a contributing factor, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require a redesign before the aircraft could return to service. The prolonged grounding inflicted significant financial strain on operators, including LOT.
Key Figures & Groups
- Boeing – American aerospace manufacturer, defendant.
- Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A. – Polish flag carrier, plaintiff.
- Boeing spokesperson – Unnamed, provided corporate response.
- LOT spokesperson – Unnamed, issued airline statement.
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington – Venue of the trial.
- FAA – Regulatory body that cleared the MAX after MCAS upgrades.
Timeline of Legal Proceedings
- Oct 2018 – First MAX crash (Lion Air).
- Mar 2019 – Second MAX crash (Ethiopian Airlines); grounding begins.
- Nov 2020 – FAA lifts grounding after MCAS modifications.
- May 2026 – Trial commences; jurors deliberate for three hours.
- 22 May 2026 – Jury returns not-guilty verdict.
Data & Statistics
- Fatalities in crashes: 346.
- Grounding duration: ~20 months.
- Damages sought: $153 million (Reuters) vs. $250 million (Economic Times).
- Jury deliberation: ~3 hours.
- Boeing share price post-verdict: $219.02 (closing) and $218.50 after-hours (Benzinga).
Official Statements & Responses
- Boeing spokesperson: “We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor today.”
- LOT statement: “As the legal process may not yet be concluded, LOT will not comment further on the details of the proceeding at this stage.”
- Boeing spokesperson (AFP): “We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor.”
Criticism & Opposition
LOT’s lawsuit itself reflects ongoing opposition to Boeing’s handling of the MCAS issue, asserting that undisclosed system changes caused the airline’s financial losses during the grounding. No additional external criticism appears in the reported sources.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Damages figure: Sources differ, reporting $153 million and $250 million as the amount sought.
- Appeal status: LOT’s statement leaves open the possibility of an appeal, but no details are provided.
- Broader industry impact: Limited information on whether other carriers have pursued similar claims.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor today,” — Boeing spokesperson
- “We are gratified by the jury's verdict in our favor,” — Boeing spokesperson (AFP)
- “As the legal process may not yet be concluded, LOT will not comment further on the details of the proceeding at this stage,” — LOT spokesperson
What’s Next
A separate civil trial is scheduled for 3 August 2026, focusing on the death of Michael Ryan of Ireland linked to the MAX. Additionally, a November 2025 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice required Boeing to pay $1.1 billion in exchange for dismissal of a criminal charge of “conspiracy to defraud the United States” over the aircraft’s certification.
