Aftermath Effects on and Status of AS MAX 9 Fleet
Jan 11, 2024, 5:39 pm
#1
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,320
Aftermath Effects on and Status of AS MAX 9 Fleet
Moderator Note
This thread continues the discussion of the AS MAX 9 after "Blow Out" incident. Staying on-topic is required. On-topic is AS-related, AS' response to the incident, AS MAX 9 news (not general Boeing news), AS 1282 passenger comments, effects of MAX 9 grounding on AS and the return to service of AS' MAX 9 fleet. Off-topic is baseless speculation, comments on Boeing or other airlines, other MAX models (or the MAX in general), non-AS FAA / NTSB actions and comments and random reactions and musings that take this thread away from AS.
Other AS-related threads are welcome. Non-AS -elated threads are welcome elsewhere on FT, perhaps OMNI.
All off-topic posts and threads will be deleted, or possibly moved without notice.
dayone, AS Moderator
This thread continues the discussion of the AS MAX 9 after "Blow Out" incident. Staying on-topic is required. On-topic is AS-related, AS' response to the incident, AS MAX 9 news (not general Boeing news), AS 1282 passenger comments, effects of MAX 9 grounding on AS and the return to service of AS' MAX 9 fleet. Off-topic is baseless speculation, comments on Boeing or other airlines, other MAX models (or the MAX in general), non-AS FAA / NTSB actions and comments and random reactions and musings that take this thread away from AS.
Other AS-related threads are welcome. Non-AS -elated threads are welcome elsewhere on FT, perhaps OMNI.
All off-topic posts and threads will be deleted, or possibly moved without notice.
dayone, AS Moderator
Last edited by dayone; Jan 11, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Jan 12, 2024, 6:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
Until FAA gives the green light on 7M9, which might not be near term, AS needs to commit to operating 100% of select flights and make the difficult choice to cut the rest. This second guessing of which flight will operate is getting old and doesn't benefit anyone.
Jiburi
Jiburi
Jan 12, 2024, 10:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Alaska Gold 100k
Posts: 959
They need to allow us to move off Max9 future flights without a penalty so we can cover ourselves if the flight is later cancelled.. I changed this Sunday’s (weather permitting) several days ago but have two late next week and two in early February, and many more after that of which about 75% happen to be booked on Max 9s. I saw it says at the end of the flexible travel policy we can change up through the 24th, but changing those early February flights costs a fortune. I’m betting it will be many weeks or even months before these planes are allowed to fly again.
Last edited by Waitlisted; Jan 12, 2024 at 11:05 pm
Jan 12, 2024, 11:04 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP , Delta Gold Medallion, "Credit Card" status for various hotels
Posts: 672
yes, they need to add as much reliability as they possibly can. Right now it’s a crapshoot if the flight is operated by any variant of a 737-9; I don’t think the general public understands that a 737-900 can be swapped with a 737-9MAX at the last minute (which already happened a lot before this mess). More clarity and predictability is needed here to help ward off any additional customer relations impact from this mess. Currently AS is an unreliable operation; I’ve booked backup flights using miles on other airlines for the next month to protect myself.
Jan 13, 2024, 1:34 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BA Exec, LH M&M
Posts: 190
Yes, as FAA has extended Max9 grounding, AS needs to make clear which flights are operating
Jan 13, 2024, 2:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
FAA update on inspection review process:
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/safety-...ntil-extensive
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/safety-...ntil-extensive
Jan 13, 2024, 3:23 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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FAA update on inspection review process:
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/safety-...ntil-extensive
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/safety-...ntil-extensive
After reviewing Boeing’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions, the FAA determined it needed additional data before approving them. Accordingly, the FAA is requiring plug-door inspections of 40 aircraft.
The FAA is encouraged by the exhaustive nature of Boeing’s instructions for inspections and maintenance. However, in the interest of maintaining the highest standard of safety the agency will not approve the inspection and maintenance process until it reviews data from the initial round of 40 inspections.
The FAA is encouraged by the exhaustive nature of Boeing’s instructions for inspections and maintenance. However, in the interest of maintaining the highest standard of safety the agency will not approve the inspection and maintenance process until it reviews data from the initial round of 40 inspections.
Jan 13, 2024, 5:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SFO
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Jan 14, 2024, 5:35 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,796
Sounds like Alaska is a little annoyed with Boeing. From the latest update on the blog:
and
Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska.
- Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.
- Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.
Jan 14, 2024, 9:02 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,841
Sounds like Alaska is a little annoyed with Boeing. From the latest update on the blog:
Jan 14, 2024, 9:44 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
Maybe it's time for Alaska to reconsider dropping remaining BA orders and purchasing AB, seriously. After all HA was a number on order maybe reversed the Virgin deposal pf AB this time dispose of BA. Its apparently Boeing has been deteriorating at a rapid pace.
Jan 14, 2024, 9:49 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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While I would agree with the general diversification idea (and recognize that I am not an airline expert), the problem is that ordering Airbus narrow bodies now gets them new planes in X years (with X being a fairly large number) due to the backlog of orders Airbus already has on the books.
Jan 14, 2024, 10:03 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Sounds like Alaska is a little annoyed with Boeing. From the latest update on the blog:
While I would agree with the general diversification idea (and recognize that I am not an airline expert), the problem is that ordering Airbus narrow bodies now gets them new planes in X years (with X being a fairly large number) due to the backlog of orders Airbus already has on the books.
Jan 14, 2024, 11:26 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,257
Very good article in today's Seattle Times summarizing the current state of things, big picture and critical details. Worth a read.
Boeing and U.S. aerospace set back by Alaska Airlines fuselage blowout
Boeing and U.S. aerospace set back by Alaska Airlines fuselage blowout
