FAA clears Boeing 737-10 for deliveries

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Oct. 20, 2026 issued an amended type certificate for Boeing’s 737-10, also known as the 737 MAX 10. This regulatory approval clears the final major hurdle for the aircraft to enter commercial service with airline customers. The decision confirms that the 737-10 meets the FAA’s requirements for passenger operations.

Boeing states that, following this certification, it expects to begin delivering the 737-10 to customers in the coming months. The approval was highlighted at an event at Boeing’s Everett, Washington, facility, underscoring the model’s importance within the company’s single-aisle lineup.

Boeing describes the 737-10 as the largest variant in the 737 MAX family. In a maximum seating configuration, the aircraft can serve up to 230 passengers. This positions the 737-10 as a higher-capacity option for airlines operating within the same narrow-body family.

The 737-10 complements other 737 MAX variants by offering more seats while retaining the operating commonality typical of a family of aircraft. Its certification expands the range of MAX models available for airlines planning network and fleet strategies within a single product line.

Boeing reports that orders for the 737-10 have reached 1,555 aircraft to date. These commitments come from more than 30 customers around the world, indicating broad international interest in the largest MAX version.

Across the entire 737 MAX program, Boeing states that customers have placed 7,350 orders. Nearly 2,500 MAX aircraft had been delivered through the end of September 2026, illustrating that the family is already widely deployed even before the introduction of the 737-10 into service.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA was ready to approve the 737-10 for sale, marking a milestone after an extended certification process. His comments framed the decision as a readiness to move the aircraft into the marketplace under existing safety standards.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford was quoted emphasizing that the certification followed a thorough review. He also stated that the agency will continue to hold Boeing to high safety standards, signaling ongoing regulatory oversight even after the amended type certificate has been granted.

With certification in place, Boeing can now prepare for the first customer handovers of the 737-10. The company’s guidance of deliveries beginning in the coming months sets expectations for near-term entry into airline fleets, though separate media reports point to differing views on specific timing.

Once airlines start receiving the aircraft, the 737-10 is expected to join existing 737 MAX variants already in service. Its arrival will expand capacity options within the MAX family and will draw on the already substantial installed base of nearly 2,500 delivered MAX aircraft.