The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Boeing's 737 Max 10 for passenger service, marking a significant milestone for the aerospace company. The certification, announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, follows extensive safety reviews and thousands of hours of test flights. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the approval as a major win for American manufacturing, noting that the process took nearly a decade.
The Max 10 is the largest model in Boeing's 737 Max family, designed to seat 185-210 passengers, compared to 175-195 for the Max 9 and 160-180 for the Max 8. Boeing expects to begin deliveries in 2027. The aircraft is intended to compete with Airbus's A321neo model, offering airlines a way to carry more passengers while potentially lowering costs per seat.
Boeing has faced significant challenges in recent years, including two deadly crashes involving the Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, and a midair incident with an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in 2024. These incidents renewed scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing and safety practices. Despite these setbacks, the company has secured orders for 1,555 Max 10s from over 30 customers worldwide, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Ryanair, and Alaska Airlines.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, described the certification as a major milestone in the company's recovery. She noted that the approval clears the path to deliver an airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation. The certification of the Max 10 completes the lineup of four 737 Max models, with the Max 7 also cleared for airline operations in August 2026.