Executives of major U.S. airlines are expressing their concerns and holding Boeing accountable after an inflight emergency earlier this month exposed the cabin of an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 aircraft due to an explosive blowout of an emergency exit-size door plug. The incident has raised questions about Boeing's ability to meet the expected production pace amid increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

During their 2023 fourth-quarter earnings calls on Thursday, three of the four largest U.S. carriers voiced their demands for improved quality control measures from the aircraft manufacturer. Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, stated, "Boeing needs to get their act together", emphasizing that the issues faced by the company over recent years are unacceptable.

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci also expressed his dissatisfaction with the incident, referring to it as something that should never have happened. He stated, "We're going to hold [Boeing] accountable, and we're going to raise the bar on quality." Alaska operates 65 MAX 9 aircraft, while United operates 79.

The fallout from the incident resulted in a significant impact on Alaska's passenger capacity this month, with around one-third of the planned capacity affected. However, the airline managed to rebook over half of the affected MAX 9 passengers on alternative Alaska flights, including additional flights operated by its regional subsidiary, Horizon Air. Despite this, Alaska expects a financial hit of approximately $150 million, making it likely that they will ask Boeing to cover the costs.

Although the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are still investigating the incident, the first MAX 9 aircraft are set to return to service in the coming days. The FAA has approved criteria that guide airlines in restoring the aircraft to operation safely. Both Alaska and United have undergone exhaustive inspections and plan to resume flights soon, signaling the end of the numerous cancellations caused by the grounding of these aircraft.

However, the FAA recently halted Boeing's manufacturing line until concerns regarding quality control are resolved. This move is widely supported by airlines, who appreciate the increased oversight. Nevertheless, the delay in aircraft deliveries may impact airline expansion plans and result in increased maintenance costs for aging jets.

Concerns about delivery delays have prompted Alaska to question the timeline for the arrival of their 16 MAX 9s and seven MAX 8s this year. United's ambitious growth plans, including the reception of 31 MAX 9 deliveries in 2023, are also expected to be impacted. Despite these challenges, American Airlines remains optimistic about their 20 MAX 8 deliveries scheduled for this year, as production is already underway.

Facing these mounting concerns, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has been meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where the focus has been on the company's commitment to quality engineering and safety. Boeing has pledged to cooperate fully with the FAA and take steps to strengthen safety and quality control, including temporarily pausing production to prioritize these measures.

In the coming days, passengers in the U.S. will experience a mix of emotions as they board MAX 9 aircraft for the first time since the Flight 1282 emergency. Alaska and United reassured travelers that each aircraft returning to service will undergo rigorous inspections based on FAA criteria, prioritizing the safety of passengers, employees, and the fleet.

As the aviation industry continues to grapple with these challenges, the accountability placed on Boeing by U.S. airlines serves as a call for improved quality standards and a commitment to safety in the production of future aircraft.