Why Alaska Airlines Still Hasn’t Received A New Boeing 737 MAX After Its Door Plug Blew Out

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Boeing made headlines last January when a Boeing 737 MAX 9 took off from Portland, and its door plug blew out during ascent. The aircraft involved, registration N704AL, has since been returned to Boeing by Alaska Airlines, with Boeing now the formal owner. Instead, Alaska Airlines expects to replace it with the Boeing 737 MAX 10.