Alaska airlines returns the 737 Max 9 to service after grounding

Alaska Airlines is set to reintroduce the 737 Max 9 aircraft to its fleet today, following a temporary halt in the wake of a mid-air incident. The first flight is scheduled to depart from Seattle this afternoon, bound for San Diego. This move comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the jets due to safety concerns.

Resumption of Flights

Alaska Flight 1146 is expected to take off from Seattle at 2:20 p.m. Pacific Time, marking the 737 Max 9's return to service. Subsequent flights will include Flight 621 from Las Vegas to Portland, Oregon, and Flight 1086 from Seattle to Ontario, California. United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier operating the 737 Max 9, has also announced the resumption of its fleet, scheduled for Saturday.

Safety Concerns and Precautions

Following the mid-air incident earlier this month, Alaska Airlines promptly grounded all of its Max 9 jets, with the FAA subsequently ordering the grounding of all other Max 9s in the U.S. The event was attributed to a door plug blowing out shortly after departure, prompting concerns about the aircraft's safety. Both airlines found unsecured bolts on some of their Max 9s, highlighting the need for rigorous inspection and maintenance.

Customer Confidence and Industry Response

In light of the incident, Alaska Airlines has acknowledged a slight decline in bookings for flights into February, a phenomenon known as "booking away" in the airline industry. The airline anticipates this trend to be short-lived, with CEO Ben Minicucci acknowledging that passengers may initially experience some anxiety about flying on a Max 9. However, he expressed confidence that trust in the aircraft's safety will gradually be restored, drawing parallels to the recovery of confidence in the Boeing 737 Max 8 following accidents in 2018 and 2019.

Regulatory Approval and Operational Adjustments

The FAA has cleared the 737 Max 9 for resuming commercial service after a thorough inspection and maintenance process, signaling a green light for Alaska Airlines and United Airlines to reintegrate the aircraft into their operations. Alaska Airlines has outlined plans to ferry some of its 737 Max 9 jets from inspection sites to the airports where they will recommence service. However, the airline cautions that it will take several days to fully restore its network.