FAA Clears Boeing's New 737-7 Aircraft for Commercial Service

Boeing has received an amended type certificate for its new 737-7 aircraft from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This clears the plane for commercial service. The certification is the result of a multi-year effort by Boeing's team, which included over 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing.

The 737-7 is the smallest and longest-range member of the 737 MAX family, offering 135 to 160 seats in a two-class configuration while providing roughly 10% more range potential than its siblings. According to Boeing, it aims to reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20% and noise footprint by 50% compared to the airplanes it typically replaces.

Boeing's President and CEO of Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope, said that this certification 'validates the rigor of our airplane's design' and recognizes the determination and resilience of the 737 MAX development team. The first customer for the 737-7 is Southwest Airlines, which is now preparing for delivery of the first aircraft.