FAA certifies Boeing 737-10, clearing way for deliveries
Representative image: rauschenberger / Pixabay
The FAA certified the Boeing 737-10 on October 20, 2026, clearing deliveries of close to 1,500 ordered jets to begin in the coming months.
What Happened
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the Boeing 737-10, the largest version of the 737 MAX family, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, clearing the way for Boeing to start delivering the jet to airlines in the coming months, the company said. The approval comes years later than first planned and follows a short hold in late September, when the FAA paused the process over a software issue. Reports say the certification unlocks close to 1,500 orders, about 30% of Boeing's 737 backlog.
Key Facts
- Approval: the FAA certified the 737-10 on October 20, 2026, and issued an amended type certificate and an updated production authorisation, according to reports.
- Deliveries: Boeing said deliveries are expected "in the coming months"; Canadian airline WestJet is due to be the first operator.
- Orders: close to 1,500 orders for the 737-10, about 30% of the 737 backlog, according to market reports; United Airlines is the largest customer with 167 firm orders, followed by Alaska Airlines with 105.
- Safety law: Boeing said the 737-10 is the first commercial airplane certified to the full extent of the US Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act of 2020.
- Recent delay: Boeing shares fell about 6% to 7% on September 28, when the FAA said it would hold off on approval over a software issue; the regulator later let certification proceed while Boeing works on a permanent software update, reports said.
- Family timeline: the smaller 737-8 and 737-9 were certified in 2017 and 2018, and the 737-7 in August 2026, according to reports.
Why It Matters
The 737-10 is the largest plane in Boeing's 737 MAX family of single-aisle jets, the type airlines use for most short and medium-haul flying. Airlines want bigger narrow-body jets because they can carry more passengers per flight without the cost of a wide-body aircraft. Without certification, Boeing could not deliver a large part of its order book, and airlines that ordered the plane had to adjust their fleet plans.
The 2020 safety law matters to the story. It was passed after two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX 8 in 2018 and 2019 led to a worldwide grounding of the type, and it tightened how the FAA approves new aircraft and how much it relies on manufacturers' own checks. Being the first plane certified under the full law shows that the approval went through a tougher process. That is one reason it took years longer than planned.
For Boeing's business, certification turns a large, stuck order book into future deliveries and cash. Investors had seen the certification delay as a major risk; reports said its removal takes away one of the biggest overhangs on the stock.
For travellers, the plane will gradually appear on airline routes as deliveries begin, starting with WestJet and then larger US customers such as United and Alaska.
| Model | Certification |
|---|---|
| 737-8 | 2017 |
| 737-9 | 2018 |
| 737-7 | August 2026 |
| 737-10 | October 20, 2026 |
Impact
Short-term: Boeing can begin final preparations to deliver 737-10 jets, and airlines with orders can firm up their schedules. Investors will watch for delivery numbers in Boeing's coming updates.
Long-term: Steady 737-10 deliveries would help Boeing compete with Airbus in the large narrow-body market and support its cash flow. The permanent software fix still has to be completed, and any new delays would affect delivery plans.
Who is affected: Boeing and its suppliers, airlines that ordered the 737-10 such as United, Alaska and WestJet, aviation regulators, and passengers on routes where the plane will be used.
Key Takeaway
The FAA certified the Boeing 737-10 on October 20, 2026, allowing deliveries of close to 1,500 ordered jets to begin in the coming months after years of delay.
Questions and Answers
When did the FAA certify the Boeing 737 MAX 10?
The US Federal Aviation Administration certified the Boeing 737-10, also called the 737 MAX 10, on October 20, 2026.
When will airlines get the Boeing 737-10?
Boeing said deliveries are expected in the coming months, with Canadian airline WestJet due to be the first operator.
How many Boeing 737-10 jets have been ordered?
Close to 1,500 orders, about 30% of Boeing's 737 backlog, according to reports. United Airlines has 167 firm orders and Alaska Airlines 105.
Why was the Boeing 737-10 certification delayed?
The plane went through a tougher certification process under a 2020 US safety law, and in late September 2026 the FAA briefly held off approval over a software issue before letting certification proceed.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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