Airline Executive Flies on Inaugural Boeing 737 Max 9 Flight, Placing Him Next to Power Outlet, After Three-Week Grounding Period
After three weeks of grounding, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 has resumed revenue service with Alaska Airlines on March 11, 2022. The flight in question was Alaska Airlines Flight 1146, bound for San Diego.
The flight departed from Seattle at around 3:51 pm local time (6:51 pm ET), marking a significant milestone for the aircraft and the aviation industry. The MAX 9 has been cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial service, and airlines like Alaska Airlines have demonstrated their restored confidence and operational acceptance.
Passengers on board Alaska Airlines Flight 1146 expressed mixed feelings about the MAX 9. Passenger Sarah Edgbert, initially anxious about the aircraft due to the grounding incident, later stated that she felt the plane was probably the safest out there, having undergone extensive tests since the grounding incident. Kent, another passenger, expressed concerns but stated he would not alter his travel habits.
Alaska Airlines COO, Constance von Muehlen, accompanied the flight and emphasized her trust in the safety of the plane to CNN. She took a seat next to the door plug and expressed her confidence in the aircraft despite the recent grounding. Alaska Airlines COO von Muehlen's presence on the flight underscored the company's commitment to the MAX 9's safety and reliability.
The grounding of the 737 Max 9 was due to a door plug blowout incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Since the grounding incident, the MAX 9 planes have undergone extensive tests to ensure their safety before resuming operations. Alaska Airlines has three scheduled Max 9 flights on Friday, while United Airlines plans its first Max 9 flight for Sunday, with cleared Max 9s available as spares in the meantime.
The FAA has granted waivers allowing continued MAX 8 and MAX 9 operation while Boeing works on a permanent fix to a safety issue related to the engine anti-ice system. This indicates the MAX 9's airworthiness meets regulatory standards under controlled conditions. Boeing's commitment to addressing all remaining safety aspects is evident in the ongoing engine anti-ice improvements for newer variants.
The MAX 9 remains approved and active in commercial service, unlike the MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, which have faced ongoing certification delays into 2026 due to unresolved engine anti-ice system issues. The MAX 9 has been implemented with comprehensive software updates, pilot training enhancements, and system redundancies before the fleet was cleared to return to service.
The resumption of service for the MAX 9 reflects the aviation industry's confidence in the aircraft's safety and reliability. Alaska Airlines, among others, uses the MAX 9 routinely, indicating operational trust and integration into scheduling since early 2022. Flight tracking data shows ongoing flights for Alaska's MAX 9s as recently as late July 2025.
Passenger Sarah Edgbert, who was unaware that her flight was on a 737 Max 9 until reaching the gate and spotting news crews, felt the plane was probably the safest out there after initially being anxious about the Max 9 due to the grounding incident. Kent, another passenger on Alaska Airlines Flight 1146, expressed concerns about the 737 Max 9 but stated he would not alter his travel habits. Doug Bowman's decision to board Alaska Airlines Flight 1146 was influenced by his important engagements in San Diego, as he learned about the Max 9 plane from CNN.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci anticipates a return to full capacity for the Max 9 once it is back in service, expressing confidence that passengers will not shy away from the aircraft. The MAX 9's return to service is a testament to the aviation industry's commitment to safety and reliability, and passengers like Sarah Edgbert and Kent can rest assured that they are flying on a safe and well-maintained aircraft.
References:
- Alaska Airlines resumes 737 Max 9 service
- Boeing 737 Max: Alaska Airlines resumes service after grounding
- Boeing 737 Max: FAA extends waivers for Boeing 737 Max operations
- Boeing 737 Max: Engine anti-ice system issues delay certification for newer variants
- FlightRadar24 data shows ongoing flights for Alaska's MAX 9s
- The resumption of the 737 MAX 9's revenue service with Alaska Airlines on March 11, 2022, signifies a significant milestone for the aviation industry, given the comprehensive tests and software updates implemented on the aircraft.
- After the MAX 9 resumed service, Alaska Airlines COO von Muehlen's presence on the first flight underscored the company's commitment to the aircraft's safety and reliability in the aerospace and transportation sectors.
- As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to grant waivers for MAX 8 and MAX 9 operations, the finance industry closely monitors Boeing's commitment to addressing all remaining safety aspects, particularly the engine anti-ice system issues, in line with regulatory standards.
