Airline Executive Sits Near Electrical Outlet on Boeing 737 Max 9 During Maiden Passenger Flight After Three-Week Halt
Boeing 737 Max 9 Resumes Revenue Flights after 20-Month Grounding
After a 20-month grounding following two fatal crashes, the Boeing 737 Max 9 model resumed revenue flights on Alaska Airlines Flight 1146 on a specific date, although the exact date is not explicitly given in the provided sources.
The grounding, which began in March 2019, was lifted after extensive safety reviews and modifications, enabling the resumption of commercial service for the MAX 9 variant. However, incidents such as the January 2024 mid-air decompression on a B737-9 serve as a reminder that safety oversight remains critical.
In order to make the 737 Max 9’s flight control systems more resilient and ensure pilots are prepared for any anomalies, Boeing implemented several key safety measures. These included the redesign of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), enhanced pilot training, software and sensor improvements, and a thorough review of Boeing’s design and certification processes.
Passenger Kent chose to proceed with the flight despite his reservations, while Alaska Airlines COO, Constance von Muehlen, accompanied the flight and expressed full confidence in the aircraft. Passenger Sarah Edgbert was unaware that her flight was on a 737 Max 9 until reaching the gate, but she took a seat next to the door plug and emphasized her trust in the safety of the plane to CNN.
The flight, initially scheduled to depart Seattle at 3:51 pm local time (6:51 pm ET), was delayed and is now expected to land in San Diego around 9 pm ET. The grounding was due to a door plug blowout incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Since the grounding of the Max 9, both Alaska and United Airlines have been canceling numerous daily flights.
United Airlines has cleared Max 9s as spares in the meantime, and Alaska Airlines plans three scheduled Max 9 flights on Friday, with the first Max 9 flight for United Airlines scheduled for Sunday. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci anticipates a return to full capacity for the Max 9 once it is back in service.
Doug Bowman made the decision to board the Max 9 due to important engagements in San Diego. Upon realizing this was the first revenue flight for the 737 Max 9 since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded Boeing jets three weeks ago, he initially felt anxious but later stated that he believed it to be the safest plane due to the tests it had undergone since the grounding.
The resumption of the Boeing 737 Max 9's commercial service in the transportation industry, after a 20-month grounding, marked a significant milestone in the aerospace sector, given its importance in finance as well as passenger safety. United Airlines, beside using Max 9s as spares, also plans to operate scheduled flights with this model, signifying a gradual return to normal operations within the airline industry.
