Airlines United Airlines announces first routes for Boeing 737 MAX 9

United expects to begin operating MAX 9 aircraft on June 7, between its hub at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and five cities. Beginning June 29, United expects to add additional MAX 9 flights from its Houston and Los Angeles hubs including service between Los Angeles and Honolulu.

United’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 will have 179 seats including 20 United First seats in a 2-2 configuration, 48 in Economy Plus in a 3-3 configuration with 34 inches of pitch, and 111 United Economy seats in a 3-3 configuration with 30 inches of pitch.

"The addition of the MAX 9 furthers our efforts to become a more efficient and productive airline. It has better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs and does all of this while maximizing customer comfort," said United's Chief Financial Officer Andrew Levy.

United Airlines has ordered 61 Boeing 737 MAX 9 and plans to receive 10 new MAX 9 aircraft from Boeing this year. The jet, which is the successor of the current Boeing 737-900, will be used to replace United’s older Boeing 757-200. Beside the Boeing 737 MAX 9, Boeing has ordered 100 larger Boeing 737 MAX 10 for its fleet renewal in the next years.

Earlier this week, the US Federal Aviation Administration has issued the type certificate for the first Boeing 737 MAX 9.