FAA Grants Approval for Boeing 737 Max 10 Passenger Jet
The US Federal Aviation Administration has granted approval for the Boeing 737 Max 10 passenger aircraft, paving the way for initial deliveries early next year following years of delays.
PothikTV News Desk: 21 October 2026, 10:04 am
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted final approval for Boeing’s long-delayed 737 Max 10 passenger aircraft, paving the way for the plane manufacturer to begin customer deliveries. According to Reuters, Boeing expects the first delivery of the model to be handed over to Canadian carrier WestJet early next year.
Boeing had been seeking certification for the Max 10 model since the early 2020s. Designed to accommodate up to 230 passengers, the variant represents the largest member of the 737 Max family. To date, Boeing has secured over 1,550 orders for the Max 10, accounting for approximately 31 percent of its total pending 737 order book. The manufacturer anticipates that deliveries of the model will play an important role in its ongoing financial recovery.
During the protracted certification delays, European competitor Airbus expanded its market share in the large single-aisle aircraft segment with its A321neo model. Major airlines that have placed orders for the Max 10 include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines.
The regulatory scrutiny and certification procedures for Boeing aircraft were significantly intensified following two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in 346 deaths. Oversight of the manufacturer’s production and safety systems was further tightened after a January 2024 incident in which a cabin panel detached mid-flight from an Alaska Airlines Max 9 jet.
As part of the certification process, the FAA mandated critical technical upgrades for the Max 10, including enhancements to flight systems and angle-of-attack sensors. These modifications are set to be retrofitted into aircraft already in operation over the coming years. Issues concerning engine anti-icing systems and navigation software also contributed to the approval delays, though the FAA determined that a recent software issue did not pose a threat to the aircraft’s safety.
Boeing expects to secure regulatory approvals from aviation authorities in Canada and the European Union, a process the company estimates could be completed within a few months. Meanwhile, members of Boeing’s team will focus on securing certification for the 777-9 aircraft, a program currently running six years behind schedule. The company hopes to gain approval and begin deliveries for the 777-9 in 2027.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy welcomed the certification milestone during a visit to a Boeing facility, stating that accelerating the approval process is essential to maintaining the competitiveness of the American aerospace manufacturing sector.
