Boeing’s Longest-Delayed Jet Finally Has Its Green Light

The FAA has certified Boeing’s 737 MAX 10, the Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday, October 20. It is the last member of the MAX family to receive approval, following the MAX 7, which was signed off in August, and it ends a wait that has stretched years beyond the original plan.

The jet was first expected to enter service in 2020 or 2021. Delays piled up from the two fatal MAX crashes, a reworking of how the FAA certifies aircraft, and a problem with the engine anti-ice system that had to be resolved before approval. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency was ready to approve what he called a critical aircraft for sale.

Certification is not the same as flying passengers. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, and WestJet is the launch customer. Other confirmed buyers include United, Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Ryanair, which means passengers on several large carriers could eventually find themselves on the stretched, single-aisle jet.

For airlines, the approval clears one of the biggest uncertainties in their fleet planning. The MAX 10 is the largest of the family and is aimed at high-demand routes where carriers want more seats without moving to a wide-body. When the first aircraft actually arrive, and on which routes they debut, will be the next thing to watch.

Sources: Airline Geeks, Federal Aviation Administration