United Airlines took a significant financial hit in the first quarter of 2024 due to the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes following an incident on an Alaska Airlines flight. The airline reported a loss of $124 million, or 38 cents per share, for the quarter.
The FAA temporarily grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft after a door plug blew off during takeoff on an Alaska Airlines flight on January 5, causing an emergency landing. United Airlines had more of these planes (86) than any other carrier and was hit hardest by the grounding.
As a result, United Airlines received far fewer new planes from Boeing this year than anticipated. The airline now expects to receive only 61 new narrow-body jets in 2024, down from the initial plan of up to 183 planes. To fill out its fleet, United has leased Airbus A321neos for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
The grounding cost United Airlines $200 million in the first quarter, which would have resulted in a profit if not for this unexpected expense. The airline had to cancel hundreds of flights and switch planes on many others due to the shortage of Boeing planes.
Boeing's difficulties in producing and delivering Max jets also mean that United will no longer expect the Max 10, which it had ordered, to be delivered this year. Instead, United has asked Boeing for Max 9s in place of some of the Max 10 orders.
The FAA's safety review and investigations into the incident are expected to further delay Boeing's launch of the new, larger model, the Max 10. The grounding also forced United to ask its pilots for voluntary unpaid time off next month and could extend that request into the fall due to a shortage of planes.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reassured travelers that United is safe despite a series of incidents, including engines catching on fire and wheels falling off planes. The FAA has stepped up its oversight of the carrier in response to these events.
The airline forecasts earnings between $3.75 and $4.25 per share in the second quarter, ahead of analysts' estimates of about $3.76 a share.