Airline Executive Flies on Inaugural Boeing 737 Max 9, Seats Near Power Outlet, After Vehicle's Three-Week Standstill Due to Safety Issues
After a grounding of almost two years due to a door plug blowout incident, the Boeing 737 Max 9 has resumed normal service with airlines such as Alaska Airlines. The first revenue flight since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded Boeing jets was Alaska Airlines Flight 1146, which departed from Seattle at around 3:51 pm local time (6:51 pm ET) and was bound for San Diego.
Passenger Sarah Edgbert initially felt anxious but later stated that she realized it's probably the safest plane out there right now. Another passenger, Doug Bowman, learned about boarding a Max 9 plane from CNN and prioritized his engagements in San Diego. Kent, a passenger on Flight N929AK, expressed concerns but decided not to alter his travel habits.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci anticipates a return to full capacity for the Max 9 once it is back in service. The airline currently has three scheduled Max 9 flights on Friday, while United Airlines plans its first Max 9 flight for Sunday. United Airlines has cleared Max 9s as spares in the meantime.
The 737 Max 9 model's return to service marks a significant milestone for Boeing and Alaska Airlines. The aircraft has undergone extensive tests since the grounding, and Alaska Airlines COO, Constance von Muehlen, accompanied the flight and expressed full confidence in the aircraft. She even took a seat next to the door plug and emphasized her trust in the safety of the plane to CNN.
The airlines have cooperated with the FAA and Boeing to refine inspection procedures, ensuring the planes' safety before resuming operations. This cooperation has led to increased production output and positive delivery momentum, with Boeing significantly ramping up its 737 Max deliveries in the second quarter of 2025, producing 104 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 209 for this family of aircraft, which includes the 737 Max 9.
The sustained and increasing deliveries and utilization of the 737 Max 9 by major airlines like Alaska Airlines and United imply stable operational confidence and acceptance from both carriers and the traveling public following the return to service after the earlier grounding of the 737 Max series. This underscores the 737 Max 9’s importance as a key model for airlines managing fleet growth and replacement.
In summary, the Boeing 737 Max 9 is currently in active service with airlines such as Alaska Airlines, supported by increasing production output and positive delivery momentum, with airlines planning to use this model extensively until newer variants like the Max 10 come online. Passenger confidence appears sufficient for continued operation, as reflected in airline deployment strategies.
The first passenger on the resumed Max 9 flight, Sarah Edgbert, initially felt anxious but later acknowledged that it might be the safest plane currently. Doug Bowman, a passenger on a subsequent Max 9 flight, learned about the aircraft from news sources like CNN and prioritized his travels to San Diego. Following the return of the Max 9 to service, Alaska Airlines and United are planning to incorporate the aircraft into their lifestyle and travel itineraries, signifying industry and finance commitments to the model's continued growth and development.
