United Airlines posted a smaller loss than analysts had expected in the past quarter despite the weeks-long grounding of Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft. The temporary grounding of several dozen Boeing aircraft in January cost the US airline around $200 million. Without this burden, United would have closed the quarter with a profit, the airline said after the US stock exchange closed on Tuesday. The share price rose by around 5% at times in after-hours trading on Tuesday. The bottom line was a loss of $124 million, compared to a loss of $194 million in the same quarter last year. The adjusted loss …