FAA Certifies Boeing's New 737-7 Airplane for Commercial Use
Boeing has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its new Boeing 737-7 airplane, allowing it to be used for commercial purposes. The plane is part of the MAX lineup and will seat between 135 to 160 passengers.
In a statement, Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane, said that the team of engineers and test experts worked through numerous challenges, including an extended pandemic and transition to new certification processes, to deliver a safe and capable airplane to customers.
The 737-7 is designed for long-distance travel and has a maximum range of 3,800 nautical miles. This is 700 more nautical miles than the 737-10 model, which can seat up to 210 people. The new plane also cuts fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20% compared to planes it will eventually replace.
According to Boeing, over 1,000 hours of testing, along with extensive system safety analysis and human factors reviews, contributed to the FAA's certification. Southwest Airlines is expected to be one of the first customers for the new plane, with delivery expected soon.