The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday granted final approval to the long-delayed Boeing 737 MAX 10, clearing the way for the US planemaker to begin delivering the largest version of its best-selling airplane. The October 20 certification ends a years-long saga of regulatory setbacks and unlocks the cash flow Boeing says its recovery depends on.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was set to appear on Tuesday at Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, to tout the certification, Reuters reported. Boeing opened a new 737 production line at the Everett plant in July, with the jet also assembled in nearby Renton. Before the delays, Boeing had initially planned to start delivering the MAX 10 in 2020.
What the FAA certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 means
The MAX 10 certification is one of Boeing's biggest wins in years. The variant has more than 1,550 orders and accounts for 31% of Boeing's outstanding 737 backlog, per aviation analytics consultancy IBA. Boeing calls it a major driver of cash flow for its ongoing financial recovery.
"Deliveries will begin in the coming months," Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said. The jet, she added, "offers greater capacity, longer range and the best seat economics in its class."
The jet is built for growth: the largest MAX 10 can hold up to 230 passengers, compared with up to 195 for the MAX 9 and 160 for the MAX 7. Major customers include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, and Boeing has already built a handful awaiting delivery.
The Boeing 737 MAX 10 prototype at its rollout ceremony in November 2019. The variant, the largest of the 737 MAX family, has now received FAA certification. (Photo: lamblukas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)
How Boeing got here: delays, a software glitch and an October finish line
The road to certification was rough. The FAA last month held off final approval until a newly disclosed software issue was resolved — the latest setback for the jet. An FAA expert panel later ruled the glitch, which could block automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario, did not pose a safety concern.
The timing beat expectations. Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary said Tuesday he was optimistic certification would land in October, and Europe's largest airline could take 16 of the planes in early 2027. Boeing's test program ran more than 2,000 flight hours plus 1,000 ground test hours, backed by tens of thousands of pages of documentation.
An aerial view of Boeing's Everett factory in Washington state, where Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was set to appear Tuesday to tout the MAX 10's FAA certification. (Photo: Jelson25, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Airbus has a head start — and Boeing knows it
The delays have cost Boeing in the marketplace. Airbus' A321neo secured a greater share of the large single-aisle market while the MAX 10 waited for approval.
Still, Boeing's order book suggests airlines are sticking with it. Across the whole MAX family, customers have placed 7,350 orders, of which nearly 2,500 have been delivered through the end of September 2026. The 737-7, the smallest variant, was certified earlier this year.
On paper, the MAX 10's pitch is strong: it typically seats 185 to 210 passengers in a two-class layout, flies up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km), and cuts fuel use and carbon emissions by 20 percent versus earlier 737s, Boeing says.
The 737 MAX 10 prototype on display at Boeing's November 2019 rollout. Airlines have ordered more than 1,550 of the variant, which can carry up to 230 passengers. (Photo: lamblukas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)
Why Wall Street isn't cheering yet
The approval is a positive, but investors met it with a shrug. Boeing stock was mostly flat in after-hours trading on Tuesday, Barron's reported — a surprise, since MAX 10 certification was supposed to be a catalyst. Through Tuesday's session, shares were down 12% year to date after falling 16% since the start of the Iran War, as higher fuel prices sapped appetite for aerospace stocks.
Analysts see the bigger prize ahead. Boeing is on pace to deliver about 670 jets in 2026, up from 600 in 2025, and Wall Street projects 2028 deliveries of 830 jets with free cash flow of almost $10 billion. Next up is the 777X wide-body jet: the 777-9 has 542 orders, or 81% of the 777X backlog, but its certification is likely pushed into 2027.
Why it matters
For airlines, the MAX 10 is the capacity workhorse they have been waiting for — especially US carriers like United and Alaska that built growth plans around it. For passengers, it means more seats per flight on busy domestic and short-haul routes. For Boeing, certification unlocks deliveries — and the cash that comes with them — when its financial recovery needs every tailwind it can get.
What happens next
First deliveries start in the coming months, with Ryanair expecting its first 16 in early 2027. Airlines will begin slotting the MAX 10 into 2027 summer schedules, and the industry will watch whether Boeing can ramp up 737 production without the quality stumbles of recent years.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA granted final approval to the Boeing 737 MAX 10 on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — years after Boeing first planned deliveries in 2020.
- Boeing says deliveries will begin in the coming months; the MAX 10 has more than 1,550 orders, making up 31% of the 737 backlog.
- The jet seats up to 230 passengers, with major customers including United, Alaska, Ryanair, Delta and American.
- A recent software issue delayed certification but was judged not to be a safety concern by an FAA expert panel.
- Delays helped Airbus' A321neo dominate the large single-aisle market; the MAX 10 is Boeing's answer.
- Boeing stock was flat after hours despite the win; shares remain down 12% year to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Boeing 737 MAX 10 certified?
The FAA granted final approval on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Reuters reported, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy set to tout the certification at Boeing's Everett, Washington, factory the same day. An expert review resolved the software issue that had delayed certification.
When will airlines start receiving the MAX 10?
Boeing says deliveries will begin in the coming months and has already built a handful awaiting delivery. Ryanair expects its first 16 planes in early 2027, its chief executive Michael O'Leary said.
How many Boeing 737 MAX 10s have been ordered?
Airlines have ordered more than 1,550 MAX 10s, per Reuters. The variant accounts for 31% of Boeing's outstanding 737 backlog, according to aviation analytics consultancy IBA.
How many passengers does the 737 MAX 10 hold?
Up to 230 in a single-class layout, versus 195 for the MAX 9 and 160 for the MAX 7. In a typical two-class setup it seats 185 to 210, with a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km).
Why was the MAX 10 delayed for so long?
Deliveries were first planned for 2020, but the variant faced years of added FAA scrutiny after MAX 8 and MAX 9 safety incidents. A software issue affecting automated flight guidance in certain landing scenarios then held up 2026 certification until an FAA panel ruled it safe.
How does the MAX 10 compare with the Airbus A321neo?
Both target the large single-aisle market, but the A321neo took a bigger share during the MAX 10's delays. Boeing claims "the best seat economics in its class" with 20% lower emissions and fuel use than earlier 737s. The real test starts now, as airlines pick between them for 2027.
How did Boeing's stock react to the certification?
Shares were mostly flat in after-hours trading on October 20, per Barron's. The stock was down 12% year to date after falling 16% since the start of the Iran War, as higher fuel prices weighed on aerospace shares.
What is next for Boeing after the MAX 10?
The 777X wide-body jet is next, though its certification is likely pushed into 2027. The 777-9 has 542 orders — 81% of the 777X backlog. Boeing is also raising output, targeting about 670 deliveries in 2026, up from 600 in 2025.
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Sources
- Reuters (via WNFL) — "FAA certifies Boeing's 737 MAX 10, clearing way for deliveries" (Dan Catchpole and David Shepardson), Oct 20, 2026: full story
- Reuters — FAA certification announcement wire (FAA granted final approval Tuesday; Duffy at Everett), Oct 20, 2026: reuters.com
- Reuters — Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary on October certification, Oct 20, 2026: reuters.com
- Boeing (PR Newswire) — "U.S. FAA Certifies Boeing 737-10, Largest Member of 737 MAX Family" (2,000+ flight hours; 7,350 MAX orders; 2,500 delivered), Oct 20, 2026: prnewswire.com
- Barron's — "Boeing Finally Gets FAA Approval for Its 737 Max 10 Jet" (stock, YTD, 777X outlook), Oct 20, 2026: barrons.com
By GlobalDeskNews Staff