Federal regulators have approved a new Boeing aircraft for commercial flights, marking a major milestone for the airframer.
The FAA has officially certified Boeing’s 737 Max 7 plane, clearing the way for the aircraft manufacturer to begin deliveries to airlines around the world. The Max 7 is the newest variant of the Max family of jets.
Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft had previously been grounded worldwide after a software failure caused two deadly crashes, killing 346 people aboard Max 8 planes in 2018 and 2019. The groundings began to be lifted in late 2020.
Since then, Boeing’s 737 Max planes have received stricter guidelines from the FAA for certification. (A separate incident then occurred on board a Max 9 plane in January 2024 when a side panel blew out of the aircraft’s fuselage on a flight operated by Alaska Airlines.)
The Max 7 was originally slated for approval in 2022, but the program has faced years of delays around its regulatory approval.
The aircraft’s testing and certification process began in 2018 and entailed more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing, analysis of safety systems and human factors, and an updated engine anti-ice system to address a potential condition discovered during flight tests.
“This important certification validates the rigor of our airplane's design and recognizes the determination and resilience of our 737 MAX development team," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Southwest Airlines will be the launch customer for the Max 7 plane, which is the smallest Max variant and offers the longest range. The plane will seat up to 160 passengers and come with a top range of 3,800 nautical miles.
Boeing is still pursuing FAA certification for the largest Max variant, the 737 Max 10, which will seat up to 210 passengers and have a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles.
The company says its Max aircraft order book currently has about 5,000 outstanding orders. That figure includes Max 7 orders from carriers like WestJet and Allegiant Air, as well as Max 10 orders from United, Alaska Airlines, Delta, and more.
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