Boeing’s Largest 737 MAX Wins FAA Approval for Deliveries
The FAA has certified Boeing’s largest 737 MAX aircraft, clearing the way for deliveries to airlines. More than 30 customers have ordered 1,555 of the jets…
Boeing secured U.S. approval for its largest 737 MAX in Everett, Washington, clearing a major hurdle for the aircraft after years of reviews and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration certified the 737 MAX 10 on Tuesday, allowing Boeing to prepare for deliveries to airlines, which the company expects to begin in 2027.
The decision unlocks a backlog of 1,555 ordered aircraft from more than 30 customers worldwide. Those orders account for more than 30% of Boeing’s total 737 MAX backlog, according to NPR.
The timing matters to airlines awaiting the larger jet, which can carry more passengers on a single flight. For travelers, the aircraft could eventually add seats on popular routes, though any effect on fares will depend on how airlines use the planes and the level of competition, NPR reported.
FAA certification follows extensive testing
The FAA’s approval followed years of regulatory and safety reviews. Boeing said its certification program involved nearly 1,000 test flights, more than 2,000 flight hours and 1,000 hours of ground testing.
“The FAA's decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft's design and safety requirements,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards as the company begins production of the 737 MAX-10.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy welcomed the approval during a visit to Boeing’s factory in Everett. He said the process involved “extensive safety reviews,” including thousands of hours of test flights, and described the certification as a win for U.S. manufacturing.
“To think that it took us almost 10 years to get here. We all probably had a little less gray hair 10 years ago,” Duffy said during the visit, according to NPR.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the certification clears the way for the company to deliver the aircraft. She called it “another major milestone in our recovery” and said it “unlocks a key to our future growth.”
What the 737 MAX 10 offers airlines
The MAX 10 is the largest aircraft in Boeing’s single-aisle MAX family. Boeing says it can seat up to 230 passengers, though airlines typically plan configurations for 185 to 210 passengers. NPR reported the MAX 10’s typical capacity compares with 175-195 on the MAX 9 and 160-180 on the MAX 8.
Boeing says the aircraft has a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles. The company also says the jet includes an updated flight-control system and an enhanced angle-of-attack sensor; those safety improvements will eventually become standard across the 737 MAX family.
For carriers, a larger single-aisle plane can provide more seats on a flight. NPR reported that carrying more passengers could potentially lower costs per seat, while the effect for travelers depends on airlines’ deployment choices and competition. The aircraft is designed to compete with Airbus’s A321neo family, which NPR reported can carry more passengers and fly farther without refueling than the MAX 10.
Boeing said the MAX 10 has orders from more than 30 customers worldwide. Major customers identified by NPR include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Ryanair. Alaska Airlines joined the list in January, ordering 105 MAX 10s with options for 35 more.
The approval completes FAA certification for all four variants of Boeing’s 737 MAX family, according to Fox Business. The family has received 7,350 orders, and nearly 2,500 aircraft had been delivered through the end of September 2026.
Boeing expects to begin delivering the newly certified MAX 10 in 2027.
Source: foxbusiness.com
