FAA Approves Boeing 737 Max 10 After Years of Delays

Boeing has secured US Federal Aviation Administration approval for its 737 Max 10, the largest aircraft in the company's best-selling 737 Max family, following years of certification delays. The decision, announced Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marks a major step toward introducing the aircraft into commercial service after safety reviews and engineering modifications pushed its planned 2020 launch far behind schedule.

The FAA's approval makes the Max 10 the last model in Boeing's 737 Max family to receive government certification. According to the source report, the decision came weeks after federal officials examined a navigation system glitch on the aircraft and determined it did not constitute a safety-of-flight issue.

Safety concerns following two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 contributed to increased regulatory scrutiny. Boeing also had to make engineering changes, including modifications to the aircraft's engine anti-icing system, before completing the certification process.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency evaluated the aircraft's design and compliance with safety requirements before granting approval.

"The FAA's decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft's design and safety requirements. We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards," said Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator.

The certification opens the way for airlines to begin preparing the aircraft for passenger operations. However, carriers typically need additional time to incorporate newly certified aircraft into their schedules, meaning commercial service does not necessarily begin immediately after regulatory approval.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said at a Morgan Stanley conference on September 16 that orders for the Max 10 represented approximately 30% of the manufacturer's order backlog. Customers include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

The lengthy delay has also affected airline planning. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC in August that the carrier had waited so long for the Max 10 that its planned lie-flat seats no longer made sense for the aircraft and remained in storage. Alaska Airlines said in September that it planned to install lie-flat seats on some of its Max 10 aircraft as part of an effort to expand its premium offerings.

Boeing is also working to increase production of its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft as it pursues a broader recovery. Airlines and other customers pay a substantial portion of an aircraft's price upon delivery, making production and deliveries important to the manufacturer's financial performance.

In July, Boeing opened a fourth production line for its 737 Max aircraft in Everett, Washington. The FAA had previously approved the smallest member of the 737 Max family, the Max 7, in early August.