FAA Certifies Boeing 737-7 for Commercial Service
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted an amended type certificate for the Boeing 737-7, paving the way for its entry into commercial service. This comes after a certification process that spanned over eight years, driven by regulatory changes and technical issues.
The 737-7 is the shortest-fuselage version of the MAX family and offers between 135 and 160 seats in a typical two-class configuration. It has a maximum range of 3,800 nautical miles (7,040 km), making it the longest-range member of the MAX family.
The certification process was delayed due to a potential overheating condition in the engine inlet caused by prolonged anti-ice use in dry air, which risked structural damage. Boeing implemented a permanent fix consisting of inlet turbulators to promote boundary layer mixing and prevent overheating.