Alaska Air Awaits FAA Approval for Boeing 737 MAX 10 Delivery

Alaska Air is planning to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft next spring, but only if it meets a tight timeline for certification. The airline expects the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the plane by the end of September, which would allow them to put the MAX 10 into passenger service between April and mid-May. However, any delay in certification could threaten this timeline.

According to Jason Berry, Alaska Air's Chief Operating Officer, they must first wait for the FAA to certify the airplane before Boeing can begin deliveries. After that, the airline will need to certify its own heads-up display for pilots, which is expected to take a few months.

Berry acknowledged that the timeline is tight, but said 'we're not panicking yet.' The certification of the 737 MAX 10 has been several years behind schedule, and any further delays could have significant consequences for Alaska Air's plans.