Boeing 737 MAX 7 and 10 Near Final FAA Certification

Progress Toward Certification

Boeing is approaching the final stages of FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification for its Boeing 737 MAX 7 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 variants. In late May 2026, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the agency anticipates certifying the MAX 7 by summer 2026, with the larger MAX 10 following by year-end. This progress marks a significant step in Boeing’s effort to stabilize its narrowbody delivery pipeline after years of regulatory scrutiny and engineering challenges.

The Path to Approval

Certification efforts for both aircraft were delayed by a required engineering redesign of the engine nacelle anti-icing system, a critical safety mandate issued by the FAA. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that the MAX 10 has completed approximately 80% of its required certification flight testing. The aircraft has officially entered the TIA (Type Inspection Authorization) Phase 2, the final regulatory gate that allows Boeing to accumulate the necessary certification credits for commercial entry into service.

Production and Backlog Metrics

As the certification timeline firms up, Boeing is preparing to accelerate manufacturing. The company is officially increasing its Boeing 737 MAX production rate from 42 to 47 aircraft per month in mid-2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 52 per month by 2027. This ramp-up supports a record commercial backlog that reached $695 billion in the first quarter of 2026, comprising over 6,100 aircraft. According to Boeing's investor data, this high demand underscores the industry’s reliance on the 737 family for fleet renewal.

Stakeholder Impact and Market Strategy

Certification delays have forced major carriers to adjust their capacity planning. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for approximately 90% of the total commitments for the MAX 7 with nearly 270 firm orders, has faced significant pressure to manage its fleet modernization schedule. Similarly, United Airlines previously pivoted its order book toward the MAX 9 and Airbus A321neo to compensate for the delayed arrival of the 230-seat MAX 10. For lessors and operators, the FAA newsroom serves as the primary tracker for these final regulatory milestones.

Boeing 737 MAX 7 vs. MAX 10: Key Specifications

The Regulatory Shift

The current certification rigor is a direct legacy of the 2019–2020 global grounding of the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System). Historically, the 2013 grounding of the 787 Dreamliner fleet due to battery safety issues serves as a precedent for how specific system redesigns—like the current engine anti-ice compliance—require intense, multi-year FAA oversight. While some airline executives argue these delays disrupt long-term capacity, safety advocates maintain that the shift away from manufacturer self-certification is essential for long-term airworthiness.

What Comes Next for Certification

The industry is tracking three key milestones in the coming months. The FAA is expected to grant type certification for the MAX 7 in summer 2026, followed by the MAX 10 by late 2026. Concurrently, Boeing expects to hit its production rate of 47 aircraft per month by the third quarter of 2026. These events will define Boeing’s narrowbody delivery performance for the remainder of the year.

Why This Matters for the Narrowbody Market

The successful certification of the MAX 7 and 10 is critical for Boeing to retain its competitive position against the Airbus A321neo. For operators, the MAX 10 offers high-density capacity on slot-constrained routes, while the MAX 7 provides the range necessary for thinner, long-haul missions. The resolution of these certification programs signals a return to operational stability for Boeing and its primary suppliers, including engine manufacturer CFM International.