United Airlines Considers Excluding Boeing 737 Max 10 from Fleet Strategy

United Airlines is reassessing its fleet strategy and may exclude the Boeing 737 Max 10 due to prolonged certification delays and a recent grounding incident involving the smaller 737 Max 9, according to CEO Scott Kirby. The largest version of the 737 Max, the Max 10, has yet to receive FAA approval and is approximately five years behind schedule. A door plug ejected during an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 flight on January 5th, leading to an FAA-mandated grounding of that model. With 79 Max 9 aircraft in its fleet, United is the most affected carrier by the grounding, which is expected to contribute to a first-quarter loss for the airline.