Alaska Airlines expects a $150 million hit due to the grounding of its Boeing planes

• Alaska Airlines says the grounding of some Boeing planes will cost the airline $150 million.
• United Airlines also expects to lose money in the first quarter because of the grounding.
• Alaska Airlines plans to return a few of its Boeing 737 Max 9 jets to service on Friday. 

Alaska Airlines said Thursday that the grounding of its Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners will reduce full-year profit by $150 million and slow down the airline's planned growth.

The planes have been grounded since shortly after the midflight blowout of a panel in the side of an Alaska plane over Oregon on Jan. 5.