From NBCUniversal:

A Boeing 737 Max 9 plane, operated by Alaska Airlines, made an emergency landing due to a gap in the fuselage. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident that led to the grounding of more than 170 of these planes for urgent inspections.

United and Alaska Airlines are the biggest operators of the affected Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, with 79 and 65 in their fleets, respectively. Both airlines have canceled hundreds of flights, impacting a significant portion of their schedules. Inspections are also leading to cancellations for other carriers, including Panama’s Copa and Aeromexico.

Travelers on affected flights are allowed to rebook or cancel their flights without incurring change fees. Airlines are providing travel waivers to help mitigate the impact of the cancellations.

The FAA has approved Boeing’s inspection instructions for the planes, but the length of time the planes will remain grounded is still uncertain. United Airlines has reported finding loose bolts during their inspections, potentially adding to the timeline before the aircraft can return to service.

The cause of the door plug blowing out on the Alaska Airlines flight is unclear. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation, but the results could take weeks or even months to determine the exact cause of the rare accident.



Read more: What travelers need to know