Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, D.C. (January 6, 2024) — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) President Sara Nelson released the following statement after the FAA temporary grounding of certain 737 MAX 9 fleet that do not meet the inspection cycles specified in the Emergency Airworthiness Directive:

“Our union supports the FAA's quick and decisive action to ground certain 737 MAX 9 that do not meet the inspection cycles specified in the Emergency Airworthiness Directive.This is a critical move to ensure the safety of all crew and passengers, as well as confidence in aviation safety. Lives must come first always.

“Last night’s incident could have been worse, but Flight Attendants and Pilots of Alaska 1282 ensured all passengers and crew arrived safely back on the ground. We commend the entire crew.

“We are closely monitoring and working with our airlines - Alaska and United - the FAA, and DOT to ensure that aircraft are not returned to service until they are deemed safe for all. AFA is also participating in the NTSB investigation and we support that process for full safety findings and actions.

“Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders. We are trained for emergencies, and we work every flight for aviation safety first and foremost. We fly only when it’s safe.”

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The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 78 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.