Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10, Clearing Path for Deliveries

The Boeing 737 MAX 10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, was unveiled at the 2017 Paris Air Show and first flew on June 18, 2021. Its entry into service was delayed by safety setbacks, including two fatal MAX 8 crashes in 2018-2019 and a mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 in early 2024. Additional technical hurdles—an engine anti-ice issue and a navigation-software glitch disclosed in September 2026—further postponed approval. The FAA’s final sign-off on October 20, 2026 ends a certification campaign that began in the early 2020s.

ReutersFAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10 After Years of Delays Boeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay FAA Approves 737 MAX-10 Deliveries New York PostFAA approves Boeing 737 MAX 10 type certification FAA Certifies Boeing’s 737 Max 10 Following Years of Delays

The FAA’s approval followed a safety review that incorporated:

FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10

• Nearly 1,000 test flights and more than 2,000 flight-test hours.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay

• 1,000 ground-test hours and extensive documentation.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay

• An enhanced angle-of-attack sensor system mandated by the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA).

Boeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay

The amended type certificate confirms the 737 MAX 10 meets all applicable design and safety requirements, and an updated Production Limitation Record authorizes continued production.

FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the certification a “major win for American manufacturing.”

The Herald (Everett)

Vice President and General Manager of 737 Airplane Development Programs, Chris Payne, said the disciplined flight-test campaign gave Boeing confidence as it moves toward deliveries.

U.S. FAA certifies Boeing 737-10, largest member of 737 MAX family

• “The FAA’s decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft’s design and safety requirements,” — FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford

The Herald (Everett)

• “Our flight test team ran a disciplined, methodical campaign to validate every system.” — Chris Payne

U.S. FAA certifies Boeing 737-10, largest member of 737 MAX family

• “Completing the certification program clears the path for us to deliver a Boeing airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation,” — Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Boeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay

The 737 MAX 10 can accommodate up to 230 passengers; typical two-class layouts range from 185 to 210 seats. Boeing lists a range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km) and claims the lowest per-seat operating costs among single-aisle jets, with a 20 % reduction in CO2 emissions versus earlier variants.

U.S. FAA certifies Boeing 737-10, largest member of 737 MAX family

Aviation analytics firm IBA reports more than 1,550 orders, representing 31 % of Boeing’s 737 backlog. Major customers include United, Delta, American, Alaska, and Ryanair. The certification positions Boeing to compete directly with Airbus’s A321neo family.

FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10 After Years of Delays

Sources differ on the timeline for initial deliveries. Reuters and Boeing indicate the first delivery could occur “early next year,” implying early 2027, while other outlets suggest deliveries may begin “in the coming months,” potentially before the end of 2026. No definitive first-customer name or handover date has been confirmed.

FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10 After Years of Delays

The FAA expects certification approvals from Transport Canada and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency within “a couple of months.” Boeing plans to begin deliveries to Canada-based airline WestJet in early 2027, with broader commercial entry later that year. Production capacity is set to increase at Boeing’s Everett facility, which now houses a fourth assembly line for the larger MAX 10 alongside the MAX 8 and MAX 9.

ReutersFAA Approves 737 MAX-10 Deliveries New York PostBoeing 737 MAX 10 wins FAA certification after long delay FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10 After Years of Delays The Herald (Everett)FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10 After Years of Delays

The certification completes FAA approval of all four primary MAX variants, enabling Boeing to market a fully certified family of single-aisle aircraft for the first time since the 2020 safety reforms.

FAA approves Boeing 737 MAX 10 type certification