The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, certified Boeing’s 737 Max 10 for passenger service, marking the final approval in the company’s best-selling Max family. The decision follows extensive safety reviews, including thousands of hours of test flights, and clears the way for airlines to begin operating the aircraft.
The 737 Max 10, capable of seating up to 230 passengers, was originally slated for service in 2020 but faced repeated delays due to increased scrutiny after two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as additional engineering modifications. The FAA confirmed the certification after reviewing a navigation system glitch, which officials deemed not a safety-of-flight issue.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the approval a major win for American manufacturing, stating the process included rigorous safety evaluations. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the certification “clears the path to deliver an airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation.”
Airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have ordered the Max 10, which accounts for about 30% of Boeing’s Max backlog. While carriers can now begin flying passengers on the aircraft, it may take months for them to integrate the planes into schedules.
The Max 10’s approval comes weeks after the FAA reviewed and addressed concerns about its anti-icing system, a change required to meet certification standards. Boeing has described the Max 10 as a key part of its efforts to regain ground in the narrow-body market and improve financial stability following years of production and safety challenges.
For travelers, the larger aircraft could eventually lead to more seats on popular routes, though fare impacts will depend on airline deployment and competition. Some carriers, such as Alaska Airlines, plan to include lie-flat seats on certain Max 10 configurations to enhance premium offerings, while others, like United Airlines, have adjusted expectations due to delays in the plane’s development.
The FAA emphasized that the certification maintains high safety standards, with Administrator Bryan Bedford stating the agency will “continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards.”