FAA Gives Boeing's 737 MAX 7 Green Light Seven Years Late

Boeing's (BA) 737 MAX 7 received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday, clearing the plane for commercial service. This comes seven years after Boeing initially said the jet would be flying in 2019.

The certification was a long time coming due to two fatal MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as scrutiny following a cabin-panel blowout on a MAX 9 in early 2024. The FAA described the approval process as almost a decade of extensive review.

Before signing off, the agency required updates to the jet's flight-control software and its crew alerting system, plus a redesigned engine anti-ice system. Boeing has already built about 30 MAX 7s that are awaiting delivery.

The certification is significant because it unlocks revenue for Boeing, which collects most of an airplane's price when they hand it over to the customer. The approval also paves the way for deliveries, with Southwest Airlines likely starting flights next year.