Boeing wins FAA approval for 737 Max 10, completing Max family certification

Largest model clears final hurdle after years of delays linked to 2018 and 2019 crashes

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Updated20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources4 outlets

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday certified the Boeing 737 Max 10, the largest and last model in Boeing's Max family to receive government approval, ending years of delay for an aircraft central to the manufacturer's recovery. The decision comes weeks after federal officials reviewed a navigation system glitch on the aircraft and determined it was not a safety-of-flight issue.

The FAA's approval marks a major win for Boeing, which has faced increased scrutiny since two fatal Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 and a series of other safety problems. The Max 10 was initially set to enter service in 2020, but certification required engineering changes, including to an anti-icing system for the aircraft's engines.

"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."

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

Airlines can begin flying passengers once planes are certified, though it can take months for carriers to work the aircraft into their schedules. United CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC in August that the airline had waited so long for the Max 10 that the lie-flat seats it ordered for the plane no longer make sense and are sitting in a warehouse. Alaska Airlines, by contrast, said last month it plans to put lie-flat seats on some of its 737 Max 10s as part of a push toward more premium offerings.

The FAA approved the smallest Max model, the Max 7, in early August. Boeing has been working to ramp up production of its 737 Maxes and 787 Dreamliners, which are key to its recovery since airlines and other customers pay the bulk of the aircraft's price upon delivery. The company opened a fourth 737 Max production line in Everett, Washington, in July.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Max 10 certification removes uncertainty over the final model in Boeing's best-selling family, giving airlines a new large narrow-body option.
With Max 10 orders representing roughly 30% of Boeing's backlog, the approval is central to the company's cash flow and production planning.
Airlines now face fleet decisions, including what to do with seats and configurations ordered years ago for a plane that arrived late.

Background

The 737 Max family was grounded worldwide in 2019 after two fatal crashes, and Boeing has spent years working to rebuild trust with regulators, airlines and the public. The Max 10, the largest variant, was designed to compete at the top end of the narrow-body market but fell years behind schedule as safety scrutiny intensified and engineering changes were required. The approval completes certification of all four Max models, with the Max 7 having cleared the FAA in early August.

Key Perspectives

Boeing: The manufacturer sees the approval as validation of its recovery efforts, with CEO Kelly Ortberg pointing to the aircraft's share of the company's backlog and Boeing ramping up production lines. FAA: Administrator Bryan Bedford stressed that the decision followed a thorough review and that the agency will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards. Airlines and customers: Carriers have differing plans: United's Scott Kirby said the long wait made its original seat order obsolete, with seats now in storage, while Alaska Airlines is adding premium lie-flat seats to some Max 10s. Critics and skeptics: Those who have questioned Boeing's safety culture since the two crashes will be watching the Max 10's performance in service, particularly after the recent navigation system glitch was reviewed but not deemed a safety-of-flight issue.

What to Watch

How quickly airlines integrate the Max 10 into schedules; certification does not mean immediate passenger flights.
United's decision on its Max 10 order and what the airline does with its stored lie-flat seats.
Boeing's production output, including the new fourth line in Everett, Washington, and overall 737 Max ramp-up.
Any post-certification issues that emerge with the Max 10, given the navigation system glitch reviewed weeks before approval.

Sources

Boeing wins FAA approval for 737 Max 10 after years of delays · US Top News and Analysis
US certifying Boeing’s largest 737 Max after years of delays, AP source says · Boston Globe
Boeing’s Last 737 MAX Jet Gets Approval to Carry Passengers · WSJ.com: US Business
Boeing wins FAA approval for 737 Max 10 after years of delays · Business News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe FAA approved the 737 Max 10, the largest and last Max-family model to receive government approval.US Top News and Analysis: “The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday signed off on the Boeing 737 Max 10 after years of delays, a major win for the manufacturer and the last in Boeing's best-selling family of jets to get government approval.”
SupportedThe delays were linked to the 2018 and 2019 crashes.US Top News and Analysis: “The 737 Max 10, the largest model in the family, was set to start flying in 2020, but increased scrutiny following two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 and other safety issues delayed its certification.”
SupportedFAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said, “The FAA's decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft's design and safety requirements.”US Top News and Analysis: “"The FAA's decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft's design and safety requirements," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.”
SupportedBryan Bedford said, “We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards.”US Top News and Analysis: “"We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards."”
Partly supportedThe two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 were fatal.US Top News and Analysis: “increased scrutiny following two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019”
Partly supportedThe Max 10 is central to Boeing's recovery.US Top News and Analysis: “Boeing has been working to ramp up production of its 737 Maxes and 787 Dreamliners, which are key to its recovery”
SupportedWeeks before approval, federal officials reviewed a navigation-system glitch and determined it was not a safety-of-flight issue.US Top News and Analysis: “The green light comes weeks after federal officials reviewed a navigation system glitch on the aircraft but deemed it was not a safety-of-flight issue.”
SupportedThe Max 10 was initially set to enter service in 2020.US Top News and Analysis: “The 737 Max 10, the largest model in the family, was set to start flying in 2020”
SupportedCertification required engineering changes, including changes to the engines' anti-icing system.US Top News and Analysis: “Engineering changes were also required, including to an anti-icing system for the aircraft's engines.”
SupportedKelly Ortberg said at a Morgan Stanley conference on September 16 that Max 10 orders make up about 30% of Boeing's backlog.US Top News and Analysis: “CEO Kelly Ortberg said at a Morgan Stanley conference on Sept. 16 that orders for the aircraft make up about 30% of Boeing's backlog.”
Partly supportedAirlines can begin flying passengers once planes are certified.US Top News and Analysis: “Airlines can finally start flying passengers soon after planes are certified, but it can take months for carriers to work them into schedules.”
SupportedScott Kirby said United's lie-flat seats for the Max 10 no longer make sense and are sitting in a warehouse.US Top News and Analysis: “United CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC in August that the airline had been waiting so long for the Max 10 that the lie-flat seats it expected for the plane no longer make sense and are sitting in a warehouse.”