FAA certifies Boeing 737 Max 10 after years of delays

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday, Oct. 20, approved the Boeing ↘ 2.46% 737 Max 10, the largest model in the 737 Max family. The plane was supposed to enter service in 2020, but heavier scrutiny after two fatal crashes and a run of technical problems held it back for years. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the decision during a visit to Boeing's new 737 Max production line in Everett, Washington.cnbc.com+1

The approval means all four 737 Max models are now certified. The FAA cleared the smaller Max 7 in August. Boeing can now start turning a large order backlog into deliveries, and those deliveries are where it collects most of the money for each plane.simpleflying.com+1

Officials and Boeing react

"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". Duffy said the FAA was ready to approve the jet "after extensive safety reviews — including thousands of hours of test flights." Stephanie Pope, who heads Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the 737-10 offers "the best seat economics in its class".simpleflying.com+1

The last step before approval was an Oct. 16 meeting of the FAA's Type Certification Board. Earlier, the agency had decided that a glitch in the 737 Max navigation software, which Boeing disclosed in late September, did not pose a safety concern. It did not make a fix a condition of certification. Another problem with the engine anti-ice system, which surfaced in 2023, had also delayed both the Max 7 and the Max 10.reuters.com

Orders and deliveries

Airlines have ordered nearly 1,500 Max 10s, about 30% of Boeing's unfilled 737 orders. Boeing has already built a few that are waiting for delivery. Major customers include United Airlines ↗ 0.32%, Delta Air Lines ↗ 2.05%, American Airlines ↗ 2.98%, Ryanair ↘ 0.79% and Alaska Airlines ↗ 5.49%. Boeing has said it expects first deliveries in 2027. Simple Flying reports that WestJet is expected to be the launch operator that year, pending Canadian approval, and that Alaska is aiming to start passenger service by mid-May 2027.bnnbloomberg.ca+2

The Max 10 seats up to 230 passengers and was designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo. The largest A321neo still carries more passengers and flies farther. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has said the Everett line, which focuses on the Max 10, is needed to reach 52 jets a month next year. The plane is too long to fit nose to tail on the Renton line.qz.com+1

A long road back

The approval comes as the FAA eases its oversight of Boeing. In July, the agency said Boeing could again take responsibility for certifying all of its 737 Max and 787 planes. Boeing is still working to certify the 777-9, which is six years behind schedule. The wait has already cost some customers. United CEO Scott Kirby said in August that the lie-flat seats bought for the Max 10 no longer make sense and are sitting in a warehouse.cnbc.com+2