FAA Gives Green Light to Boeing's Smallest Passenger Jet

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted certification to Boeing's smallest passenger jet, the 737 MAX 7, after over four years of delays. The plane can carry between 135 and 160 passengers in a normal commercial configuration and has the longest range in the 737 MAX family, up to 4,300 miles.

Southwest Airlines is set to be the launch customer for the MAX 7, with Boeing having already built around 30 of these aircraft. The airline plans to begin flying passengers on the MAX 7 three to six months after delivery of the first jet.

The certification comes after the FAA required Boeing to incorporate key improvements, including updates to the flight-control software and a redesigned engine anti-ice system. Certification of the larger MAX 10 is widely expected in the coming weeks or months.