Boeing's 737 Max 9 returned to the skies on Alaska Airlines Flight 1146, marking the first profitable flight for the model since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the planes three weeks ago due to a blown plug. gate on flight 1282.
The plane took off Friday afternoon from Seattle at approximately 3:51 pm local time (6:51 pm ET) bound for San Diego. cnn reported.
Also this time, Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen took the flight and sat in the seat next to the door stopper, saying she had “full confidence” in the plane.
Sarah Edgbert, a passenger on a 737 Max 9 flight, was unaware of the situation until she encountered news crews at her gate, causing her anxiety.
“But then I realized it's probably the safest airplane out there right now and it's been through a lot of testing since then,” Edgbert said.
The flight was delayed because the plane arrived late in Seattle.
Alaska and United Airlines, US airlines that operate the latest generation of Boeing's 737, have been canceling hundreds of flights daily since the Max 9 was grounded.
The airlines provided data to help the FAA and Boeing refine inspection procedures and began conducting actual inspections after the FAA issued instructions Wednesday night.
Alaska Airlines scheduled three flights of the Max 9 jet for Friday, while United Airlines said it has its first flight scheduled for Sunday.
Boeing Commercial Airlines President Stan Deal announced that the team has “worked diligently” to create inspection criteria for planes that will return to service after the Alaska Airlines flight.
The agreement also said the aircraft manufacturing company is now evaluating hundreds of ideas submitted by employees to improve quality.
“Our long-term goal is to improve our quality so we can regain the trust of our customers, our regulator and the flying public,” he said. “We own these problems and we will solve them.”
