FAA Certifies Boeing 737 Max 10 After Years of Delays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified Boeing’s 737 Max 10 on Tuesday, marking the final approval for the largest model in the best-selling family of aircraft. The certification comes after years of delays stemming from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as subsequent safety reviews and engineering modifications.

Certification and Safety Review

The FAA’s decision follows a review of a navigation system glitch on the aircraft, which federal officials determined was not a safety-of-flight issue. "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."

The 737 Max 10 was originally scheduled to begin flying in 2020. Delays were driven by increased scrutiny following the earlier Max crashes and required engineering changes, including modifications to an anti-icing system for the aircraft’s engines. The FAA had previously approved the smallest model in the family, the Max 7, in early August.

Impact on Boeing’s Backlog

The certification is a significant milestone for Boeing, as the 737 Max 10 accounts for approximately 30% of the company’s 737 backlog. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg noted at a Morgan Stanley conference on Sept. 16 that orders for the aircraft make up this substantial portion of the backlog. Customers for the Max 10 include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

According to Reuters, airlines have ordered nearly 1,500 Max 10 planes. While certification allows airlines to begin flying passengers, it may take months for carriers to integrate the new jets into their schedules. United CEO Scott Kirby previously told CNBC that the airline had been waiting so long for the Max 10 that the lie-flat seats it expected for the plane no longer made sense and were sitting in a warehouse. Alaska Airlines has stated plans to put lie-flat seats on some of its 737 Max 10s.

Production and Financial Context

Boeing has been working to increase production of its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft to aid its financial recovery. In July, the manufacturer opened a fourth production line for 737 Max airplanes in Everett, Washington. Boeing reported third-quarter 2026 deliveries of 161 commercial jets and 33 defense, space, and security programs, with year-to-date totals of 475 commercial aircraft and 98 defense and space units.

The certification news coincided with the announcement of Dataliner, a new AI-powered fleet management intelligence platform developed in collaboration with Microsoft. Boeing says the platform uses Azure AI Foundry to help airlines anticipate maintenance needs and identify emerging risks. "Airlines have more data available to them than ever before, but turning that data into meaningful action remains a challenge," said Lindsey Douglas, Boeing Global Services vice president of Cabin, Modifications, Maintenance and Digital Services.

Why it matters

The FAA’s approval of the 737 Max 10 removes a major regulatory hurdle for Boeing, allowing the company to begin delivering a variant that represents a significant portion of its order book. This step is critical for Boeing’s cash flow generation, as customers pay the bulk of the aircraft’s price upon delivery. The certification also signals a potential stabilization in Boeing’s production and safety processes after a period marked by labor negotiations and software reviews.

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Sources

• cnbc.com: Boeing wins FAA approval for 737 Max 10 after years of delays
• investors.com: Boeing, Microsoft Reveal AI Aircraft Platform, FAA To Certify 737 Max 10 | Investor's Business Daily
• finance.yahoo.com: Should FAA Approval Nears Require Action From Boeing (BA) Investors?
• tikr.com: Boeing Averts a Strike as the FAA Reviews 737 MAX Software. Here’s What Investors Need to Know | TIKR.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.