Boeing has announced that its 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 aircraft are expected to receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration later in 2026, with first deliveries likely to begin in 2027. The update was shared in the company’s Q1 2026 earnings report by CEO Kelly Ortberg.
The development follows years of delays that impacted airlines holding over 1,700 combined orders. The MAX 10 has now entered the final phase of certification flight testing, bringing the program closer to approval after multiple technical and regulatory hurdles.
Both variants were delayed due to redesign requirements, including changes to the engine anti-ice system and the addition of a new crew alerting system mandated after the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. FAA officials have indicated no major issues so far, although testing is still ongoing.
Certification of these aircraft is expected to unlock major fleet expansion plans globally. Airlines such as Southwest Airlines, WestJet, United Airlines, Ryanair, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines are among key customers awaiting deliveries. For Boeing, approval will mark a crucial step toward recovery and large-scale production.