Passenger Jet with Boeing 737 Max 9 Flies Again After Three-Week Grounding; Alaska Airlines COO Sits Near Power Outlet During Maiden Voyage
The 737 Max 9, grounded for three weeks due to a door plug blowout incident, made its first revenue flight since the grounding on Alaska Airlines Flight 1146 on Friday afternoon. The flight departed from Seattle at around 3:51 pm local time (6:51 pm ET) and was bound for San Diego.
The aircraft, which was accompanied by news crews at the gate, resumed service amidst apprehension from some passengers. Kent, a passenger on Flight N929AK, expressed his apprehension but did not intend to alter his travel habits. He emphasized his trust in the safety of the plane to CNN, even after the recent grounding.
Passenger Sarah Edgbert was unaware that her flight was on a 737 Max 9 until reaching the gate. She, like many others, placed her trust in the airline and the safety measures put in place.
Alaska Airlines COO, Constance von Muehlen, accompanied the flight and expressed full confidence in the aircraft. She initially felt anxious but later stated that she realized it was probably the safest plane out there due to the extensive tests it has undergone since the incident.
The grounding, which affected much of the Max 9 fleet globally, including Copa Airlines, caused about a month-long service disruption in early 2024. Since then, Boeing has resumed deliveries and accelerated Max 9 production, with recent deliveries including two 737 Max 9s in July 2025.
The specific issue that led to the grounding—involving a manufacturing defect traced to Boeing’s Renton factory—has been addressed, allowing the aircraft to safely return to service. Boeing is recovering from this setback along with a Seattle machinists’ strike experienced in late 2024, which had also slowed deliveries. Monthly Max deliveries, including the Max 9, have accelerated to levels not seen since late 2023.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci expects passengers to return to full capacity on the Max 9 once it is back in service. Since the grounding, Alaska and United Airlines have been canceling multiple daily Max 9 flights. United Airlines has Max 9 planes available as spares in the interim.
Both airlines have been cooperating with the FAA and Boeing to refine inspection procedures for the Max 9 planes. Alaska Airlines has scheduled three Max 9 flights for Friday, while United Airlines plans its first Max 9 flight for Sunday.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded Boeing jets due to this incident three weeks ago. The FAA has since been working closely with Boeing and the airlines to ensure the safety of the Max 9 before its return to service.
As the 737 Max 9 returns to the skies, passengers can expect a smooth and safe journey. The aircraft, once a symbol of uncertainty, is now a testament to the resilience of the aviation industry and its commitment to passenger safety.
- In the wake of the FAA's decision to ground the 737 Max 9 due to a door plug blowout incident, Al Jazeera, CNN, and other news outlets reported on the apprehension of passengers as Boeing worked to address the issue.
- As the aviation industry grapples with new safety measures, financial analysts predict a potential increase in aerospace expenditure to further reinforce the Max fleet, while lifestyle magazines discuss the impact on travel habits of passengers.
- Following successful resumption of service, lifestyle blogs and travel review websites are seeking feedback from airline passengers to assess the perceived change in comfort, service quality, and overall travel experience on the 737 Max 9.
