FAA Certifies Boeing's Smallest MAX After Near-Decade Review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally certified the Boeing 737 MAX-7 after nearly a decade-long review process. The certification clears the way for airlines to begin taking deliveries of the jet, which had been sitting in a certification queue since Boeing first submitted it for approval roughly 10 years ago.

The 737 MAX-7 is the smallest member of the 737 MAX family and is designed to carry fewer passengers than its larger siblings. It targets airlines looking for a smaller, fuel-efficient single-aisle jet capable of flying longer routes with lighter loads. Southwest Airlines is the launch customer and holds the largest order for the aircraft.

The certification process was complicated after two fatal crashes involving the MAX 8 in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. The FAA's review included extensive testing of the plane's engine anti-ice system, which had been flagged as a potential safety concern. Boeing spent considerable time developing a fix and validating it with regulators before the FAA signed off.