Boeing 737 MAX 7 Finally Clears FAA Hurdle After Decade-Long Wait

The Boeing 737 MAX 7 has finally received FAA certification after a long and arduous process that spanned nearly a decade. The smallest member of the 737 MAX family, the aircraft boasts a range of up to 3,800 nautical miles and can seat between 135-160 passengers in two classes.

The certification was granted on August 3, marking an important milestone for Boeing as it prepares to deliver the aircraft to its launch customer, Southwest Airlines. The airline has been waiting patiently for the aircraft's certification, having built its future fleet plan around the type and already assembling jets with final configuration updates in mind.

According to Boeing, the 737-7 burns about 20% less fuel than its predecessors and is half as loud as the original 737. The certification process was not without its challenges, however, as flight testing revealed a problem with the engine anti-ice system that had to be redesigned.