@ San Francisco, CA
October 2024
Captured this Alaska 737 MAX 9 departing SFO while out practicing with my new Nikon Z9. The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the venerable Boeing 737 that first flew in 1967, and resumed flight operations in November 2020 after a 20 month long grounding following two crashes. The 737 MAX 9 will replace the 737-900 and has a longer fuselage than the MAX 8. Alaska currently operates 72 of these MAX 9 aircraft in their fleet, soon to number 80 in total. Note the exposed main wheels of the landing gear, the result of a design decision dating back to the first 737-100, introduced in 1968. The 737 was designed to be low to the ground for better compatibility with smaller, regional airports. With the fuselage being lower to the ground, there was inadequate clearance for landing gear doors. 737 wheels utilize smooth hubcaps on the external-facing side for aerodynamics.