EVERETT — The Federal Aviation Administration issued final certification for Boeing’s 737 Max 10, following years of “extensive safety reviews”, delivering the notice in person at the plane maker’s Paine Field “North Line” facility where the 737 is built.
“Completing the certification program clears the path for us to deliver a Boeing airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation. The 737-10 offers greater capacity, longer range and the best seat economics in its class, a platform that will create more value and opportunities for airlines around the world,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are also delighted to complete the 737 MAX family and provide our customers the most-efficient and flexible single-aisle airplane portfolio in the industry.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, who over-sees the FAA, flew to Boeing’s Everett plant for the announcement and remarked, “After extensive safety reviews – including thousands of hours of test flights – the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale. This is a major win for American manufacturing and our nation’s status as a global aviation powerhouse. We invented flight, we pioneered air travel, and we are going to continue leading the way in aviation safety and innovation.”
The FAA issued an amended type certificate, which confirms the aircraft complies with all applicable design and safety requirements, and an updated Production Limitation Record, which authorizes aircraft production, , clearing the way for Boeing to begin delivering the airplane in the coming months.
Before granting approval, the FAA required the MAX-10 to incorporate key improvements that address requirements in the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act and NTSB recommendations, including updates to the flight-control system with an enhanced angle of attack (airplane pitch) sensor.
More than 30 customers around the world have purchased the 737-10 model, with orders totaling 1,555 airplanes to date, or more than 30 percent of the 737 MAX program’s current order book.
The 737-10 is the first commercial airplane to be certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA), which mandated enhanced documentation of safety assessments and human factors evaluations.
The 737-10 completes the 737 MAX family, which offers airlines the most efficient and flexible single-aisle airplane lineup in aviation. The largest model builds on the family’s common architecture while taking capabilities to a new level:
- Capacity to serve 230 passengers in maximum seating configuration
- Lowest per seat costs of any single-aisle airplane in service
- 365 nautical miles more range than competitors without auxiliary fuel tanks
The airplane also introduces safety enhancements, including an enhanced Angle-of-Attack system that will become standard across the 737 MAX family.
“Our flight test team ran a disciplined, methodical campaign to validate every system. That rigor gives us confidence as we move toward deliveries,” said Chris Payne, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Development Programs for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “I’m incredibly proud of the entire team for their focus and professionalism.”
Customers have placed 7,350 orders for 737 MAX airplanes, of which nearly 2,500 have been delivered through the end of September 2026. The 737-10 represents more than 30 percent of unfilled 737 MAX orders.
The 737-10, the largest in the family, will typically accommodate between 185 to 210 passengers, in a two-class configuration, and have the range to fly up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km). Technological advancements also result in a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emission and fuel use.
“The FAA’s decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft’s design and safety requirements,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards as the company begins production of the 737 MAX-10.”
With production approved, the aircraft – which includes new key safety features and reduced fuel consumption – can be delivered to domestic and foreign carriers.
EverettPost.com’s earlier version of this FAA approval includes more coverage of the financial picture involved with delivery expected for a backlog of Max 10s.