The FAA certified Boeing's 737-10, while each aircraft still needs individual airworthiness approval.
Why it matters: The certification removes a major regulatory barrier for Boeing, airline fleet planning and competition with Airbus in the narrow-body market. It starts the process of converting the aircraft's order backlog into deliveries, but does not authorize every airframe to carry passengers.
- The FAA issued an amended type certificate and approved production of the 737-10 on October 20, 2026.
- Boeing says the 737-10 has 1,555 reported orders from more than 30 customers, representing more than 30% of its reported 737 MAX order book.
- Boeing expects initial 737-10 deliveries in 2027; Alaska Airlines has 105 firm orders and options for 35 more, with passenger service previously expected between April and mid-May 2027.
- Each aircraft must be built to the approved design and receive individual airworthiness approval before carrying passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing's 737-10 on October 20, issuing an amended type certificate and approving production.
In this action, approved production refers to FAA approval for manufacturing the aircraft to the approved design. It is separate from the individual airworthiness approval each completed aircraft needs before delivery and passenger operations. Boeing must also complete airline acceptance and operational preparations.
The 737-10 is the largest member of the MAX family. Boeing's certification account describes it as the final major MAX variant and says Boeing introduced it at the Paris Air Show in 2017. Boeing expects deliveries to begin in 2027.
Boeing reports 1,555 737-10 orders from more than 30 customers, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Ryanair and Alaska Airlines. That is an order total, not an identified undelivered-order figure; Boeing describes it as more than 30% of its reported 737 MAX order book. Alaska has 105 firm orders and options for 35 more, and previously expected passenger service between April and mid-May 2027.
The certification program included nearly 1,000 flights, more than 2,000 flight hours and about 1,000 ground-test hours, according to Boeing. The FAA required safety improvements tied to the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act and National Transportation Safety Board recommendations, including an enhanced angle-of-attack sensor in the flight-control system.
During the late certification process, the FAA reviewed a software issue involving some 737 MAX flight computers. The FAA said pilots retained full control and that flight-crew indications were clear and unambiguous.
The 737-10 is intended to compete with Airbus's A321neo family, which can carry more passengers and fly farther, according to The Associated Press.
By the numbers
- 1,555 orders - Boeing's October 2026 certification account says this is the 737-10's reported order total from more than 30 customers; the same account describes it as more than 30% of Boeing's reported 737 MAX order book, without identifying that comparison as an undelivered-order denominator. <a href="https://www.boeing.com/features/2026/10/faa-certifies-boeing-737-10">Boeing</a>
- 105 firm orders - Alaska Airlines' reported 737-10 commitment, alongside 35 options, with passenger service previously expected between April and mid-May 2027. <a href="https://www.boeing.com/features/2026/10/faa-certifies-boeing-737-10">Boeing</a>
- Nearly 1,000 flights - Boeing's reported 737-10 certification-program total, alongside more than 2,000 flight hours and about 1,000 ground-test hours. <a href="https://www.boeing.com/features/2026/10/faa-certifies-boeing-737-10">Boeing</a>
Yes, but: FAA certification and production approval do not by themselves authorize deliveries or passenger service for every aircraft. Each airframe still needs to conform to the approved design and receive individual airworthiness approval.
What's next: Boeing expects initial 737-10 deliveries in 2027. Alaska Airlines previously expected passenger service between April and mid-May 2027.