Boeing has received certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 737-10, the largest member of its 737 MAX family, clearing the way for customer deliveries to begin in the coming months.
The approval marks the completion of the 737 MAX line-up and follows a lengthy certification programme that included nearly 1,000 test flights, more than 2,000 flight hours, extensive ground testing and comprehensive safety assessments.
Designed to accommodate up to 230 passengers in a maximum seating configuration, the 737-10 is positioned as the highest-capacity model in the family. Boeing says it offers the lowest per-seat operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft currently in service, while providing an additional 365 nautical miles of range over competing aircraft without requiring auxiliary fuel tanks.
The aircraft also introduces further safety enhancements, including an upgraded Angle-of-Attack system that will become standard across the wider 737 MAX family.
Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “Completing the certification program clears the path for us to deliver a Boeing airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation. The 737-10 offers greater capacity, longer range and the best seat economics in its class, a platform that will create more value and opportunities for airlines around the world.
“We are also delighted to complete the 737 MAX family and provide our customers the most-efficient and flexible single-aisle airplane portfolio in the industry.”
The FAA certification is particularly significant because the 737-10 is the first commercial aircraft to be certified under the full requirements of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA). The legislation introduced more stringent certification standards, requiring enhanced safety assessments, human factors evaluations and extensive regulatory documentation.
To meet those requirements, Boeing completed a rigorous certification campaign involving more than 1,000 hours of ground testing as well as tens of thousands of pages of technical documentation and numerous formal reviews with FAA officials.
Chris Payne, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Development Programs for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “Our flight test team ran a disciplined, methodical campaign to validate every system. That rigor gives us confidence as we move toward deliveries. I’m incredibly proud of the entire team for their focus and professionalism.”
The 737-10 has attracted strong market interest, with more than 30 customers placing orders for 1,555 aircraft, representing over 30% of the current 737 MAX order backlog.
Typically configured to carry between 185 and 210 passengers in a two-class layout, the aircraft can fly up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740km). Boeing also says technological improvements deliver a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft.
The certification completes Boeing’s 737 MAX family, which now includes the 737-7, 737-8, 737-8-200, 737-9 and 737-10. Across the programme, airlines have placed more than 7,350 orders, with nearly 2,500 aircraft delivered by the end of September 2026.
With certification secured, Boeing can now focus on ramping up deliveries of the 737-10 as airlines seek higher-capacity, fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft to support growing global passenger demand.