The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737-10, better known as the 737 MAX 10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family. The approval on 20 October 2026 comes about six years after Boeing originally planned to start deliveries, and means all four MAX variants are now certified.
The plane in numbers
| Detail | 737 MAX 10 |
|---|---|
| Seats | Up to 230; typically 185–210 in two classes |
| Range | Up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km) |
| Orders | 1,555 from more than 30 customers |
| Share of MAX backlog | More than 30% |
| Testing | More than 2,000 flight hours and 1,000 ground-test hours |
Source: Boeing. Major customers include United, Delta, American, Alaska and Ryanair, according to AeroTime.
Why it took so long
Deliveries were originally planned for 2020. The programme slipped after two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX 8 in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people, and was then delayed by problems with the engine anti-ice system. A navigation software issue disclosed in September 2026 also threatened approval, AeroTime reported. The smaller MAX 7 was certified earlier in 2026.
Boeing says the MAX 10 is the first airliner certified under the full requirements of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, passed after the crashes. An enhanced angle-of-attack sensor system will become standard across MAX production.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency will "continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards," according to Fox Business.
What it means for passengers
- More seats on busy routes: airlines can carry more passengers per flight on high-demand short- and medium-haul routes.
- When you'll fly on one: Boeing says deliveries will begin "in the coming months". The first airline has not been named.
- Outside the US: approvals from other regulators, such as Europe's EASA, were not reported alongside the FAA decision.
What happens next
"This clears the path for us to deliver a Boeing airplane," said Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing reports third-quarter results on 27 October, when investors will look for delivery plans.
