Is My Airplane Secure? Key Insights as the Boeing 737-9 Max Receives Approval to Resume Service

This week, the Boeing 737-9 Max was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to return to scheduled operations for the first time since a serious incident with Alaska Airlines on January 5 raised safety concerns. Both Alaska and United, the only U.S. airlines operating this aircraft, have announced that Max 9 flights will commence as soon as this weekend. The lingering question remains: Will passengers feel confident enough to fly, or will they avoid the troubled jet?

It may take weeks or even months to understand how travelers feel about this specific aircraft or air travel in general, especially considering the past experience of the Max grounding in 2019 following two deadly incidents. When the Max 8 version returned to service in 2021, some airlines, including American, informed customers if they were booked on that model, allowing them to change flights without incurring fees. Currently, Alaska and United are offering passengers the option to change or cancel their flights scheduled on a Max 9, but this waiver is only available for a limited time (although it may be extended based on airline policies).

As the Max 9 returns to service (with 215 aircraft from this series currently operational worldwide and 144 in the United States), the FAA is actively working to reassure anxious travelers.

“We emphasized that this aircraft would not return to service until it was confirmed safe,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker stated during the announcement this week. “The thorough, enhanced review conducted by our team after weeks of information gathering provides me and the FAA with the confidence needed to move forward into the inspection and maintenance phase.”

How Boeing 737-9 Max Planes Are Being Inspected

Every aircraft cleared for service has undergone a thorough inspection, with particular attention paid to the plug door (which covers an unused emergency exit) that blew out during the Alaska Airlines flight shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. In some instances, FAA inspections have taken up to 12 hours to complete.

However, the FAA's action is not an unconditional endorsement: “This won’t mean a return to normal operations for Boeing,” Whitaker stated, announcing that the agency will not approve any increase in production for the 737 Max until it is confident that the quality control issues identified during this review have been addressed.

United Airlines also included a warning in its announcement that Max 9 flights may resume as early as this Sunday, January 28, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing safety and compliance during the necessary inspections.

“We will only reinstate each Max 9 into service after this comprehensive inspection process is fully completed,” said Toby Enqvist, United’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, in a statement. Both United, which operates 79 Max 9s, and Alaska, with 65 Max 9s, have reported finding loose bolts in their aircraft panels during inspections.

Alaska Airlines provided a detailed overview of its inspection process for the two door plugs on the Boeing 737-9 Max—one located on the left side and the other on the right side of the mid-cabin. The airline stated:

• “Prior to opening the mid-cabin door plug, we will verify that it is properly installed by checking that all hardware is secure and that all clearances are accurately measured and documented.
• Next, we will open the door plug to check for any damage or irregularities in the door and seal components, including guide fittings, roller guides, and hinges, as well as inspect nut plates and fasteners.
• Finally, we will reseal each door plug and confirm it is secured according to FAA guidelines before returning the aircraft to service.”

Alaska also mentioned that each inspection can take up to 12 hours per aircraft. “Each of our 737-9 Max will be reinstated to service only after thorough inspections are complete and the aircraft is confirmed airworthy by FAA standards,” the airline reported.

Experts believe that with increased oversight and the generally high safety standards in aviation, public confidence is likely to rebound.

“Yes, some passengers may choose to avoid the Max 9 or express discomfort about sitting near that plug, but it's important to remember that these doors will undergo rigorous examination,” stated Kathleen Bangs, a former commercial airline pilot with extensive experience flying Boeing jets.

How to check if you're flying on a Boeing 737-9 Max

Recently, more travelers are eager to know the specific model of the aircraft they’ll be flying, something that was often overlooked during the booking process, which typically prioritized price and schedule.

In fact, some passengers are actively avoiding Boeing Max flights. Flight aggregator Kayak added an aircraft filter in early 2019 and noted a surge in Max filter usage right after the Alaska Airlines incident. Users can now filter results to include or exclude specific aircraft models, such as the Boeing 737-8 Max and 737-9 Max. Consequently, Kayak has made this filter more prominent on its webpage, making it easier for users to locate when searching for flights, though price and schedule remain the most commonly used filters.

Most airlines provide information about the type of aircraft they operate. Typically, you can find this information displayed just beneath the flight details during the booking process. Likewise, when using travel search engines like Google Flights, the exact aircraft model appears below each flight segment, in smaller text next to the airline's name.

If the aircraft type is still uncertain, enter your departure and arrival locations, along with your travel date, into the ITA Matrix, a flight search tool. After locating your flight, click on the details arrow on the far right to see the specific model of the plane you’re scheduled to fly.

Aviation platforms like flight tracking website FlightAware.com and various online booking services have significantly simplified the process for consumers to identify the specific type of aircraft they’re flying on, even providing details like the tail number, which can indicate the plane's age and other relevant information.

In summary, while travelers may feel apprehensive about the Max 9 returning to the air, airlines and regulators are working diligently to reassure the public that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation.

Industry experts agree with this sentiment. John Goglia, an aviation consultant and former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, states, “Countries like the U.S., known for rigorous government oversight and a well-trained airline workforce, boast an excellent aviation safety record.”