Boeing 737 MAX 10 Nears FAA Certification Amid Alaska Airlines' Ambitious Plans

Boeing's largest 737 MAX variant, the 737 MAX 10, is on track to receive FAA certification within days, according to Alaska Air Group Chief Operating Officer Jason Berry. The airline expects approval by the end of September and plans to operate its first flights in spring 2027.

The forecast comes after Boeing completed the MAX 10 flight-test campaign and began working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on final documentation. Only three Boeing deliverables remain for the regulator, according to CEO Kelly Ortberg.

Alaska plans to receive its first 22 MAX 10s in 2027 and another 30 in 2028, using the higher-capacity aircraft on routes where it can add seats without increasing frequencies. The airline's order of 105 MAX 10s is one of the largest for the variant.