United Airlines has said it is grounded some of its Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft after an incident involving a blown-out window panel on an Alaska Airlines jet.

In a statement, the carrier said: “Safety is always our top priority. Following the incident on an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday, we have temporarily suspended service on select Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to conduct an inspection required by the FAA.

“We are working directly with impacted customers to find them alternative travel options.”

It followed an order from the FAA for the temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft operated by US airlines or in US territory after an incident involving the Alaska Airlines plane.

“The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. “Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the NTSB’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.”

The Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) requires operators to inspect affected aircraft before further flight. The required inspections will take around four to eight hours per aircraft.

The EAD affects approximately 171 planes worldwide.