The U.S. government is poised to certify Boeing’s 737 Max 10 airliner for passenger service, ending years of delays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce the decision Tuesday afternoon during a visit to Boeing’s manufacturing plant in Everett, Washington. The Max 10, which can seat up to 230 passengers, was introduced in 2017 to compete with Airbus’s A321neo. However, technical and safety concerns delayed its certification.
Boeing expects to begin delivering the Max 10 in 2027. Certification of this model completes Boeing’s lineup of four 737 Max variants, marking another step in the company’s recovery from past safety and production challenges. The FAA cleared the smaller Max 7 for operations in August. Boeing’s struggles include two deadly Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as a midair incident involving an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in 2024.
The Max 10 is designed to carry more passengers while burning less fuel than older aircraft, an attractive feature for airlines facing rising jet fuel costs. Major customers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Ryanair, and Alaska Airlines, which ordered 105 Max 10s earlier this year. Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg noted that the Max 10 accounts for about 30% of the company’s 737 backlog, totaling approximately 4,500 aircraft.
Production of the Max 10 will take place at Boeing’s Everett site, as the aircraft’s length requires more space than the Renton production line can accommodate. This certification represents another milestone in Boeing’s efforts to restore its reputation and financial stability after years of scrutiny.