Alaska Airlines’ completes first 737 Max 9 flight

Alaska Airlines’ first 737 Max 9 completed its first passenger flights following thorough testing and verification of its processes. The aircraft, which underwent more than 19,000 miles and 50+ flight hours across the country, is “very planted, very rock solid,” said Capt. Joe Blunt, director of flight standards at Alaska who piloted the aircraft’s first passenger flight to California, adding that it will “burn 15% less fuel today going to San Diego then we would otherwise,” which is “important for our future.”