FAA approves Boeing 737 Max 10 for passenger service

The Federal Aviation Administration cleared Boeing's 737 Max 10 for passenger service, with deliveries slated for 2027.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:06:11 GMT

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that Boeing's 737 Max 10 has been approved for passenger service, ending a multi‑year certification delay.

What happened

The FAA’s certification allows the 230‑seat Max 10 to be sold to U.S. and foreign airlines, with the first deliveries expected in 2027. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency completed “extensive safety reviews – including thousands of hours of test flights” before granting approval. Duffy is scheduled to discuss the decision during a visit to Boeing’s Everett, Washington plant later Tuesday.

What the reports add

nypost.com noted that the approval marks a milestone in Boeing’s effort to restore its reputation and financial footing after years of safety, quality and production challenges, and that the aircraft can now be sold domestically and abroad.
The Independent reported that a Transportation Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the decision ahead of the public announcement and said the Max 10’s approval completes certification of all four variants in the 737 Max family.
The Independent added that the FAA cleared the smaller Max 7 in August, and highlighted competition from Airbus’s A321neo family, which carries more passengers and flies farther.
Both outlets mentioned that the Max 10’s certification follows a series of technical setbacks, including the 2024 Alaska Airlines Max 9 panel blow‑out and a recent FlyDubai Max 8 severe‑dive incident.

What was said

“After extensive safety reviews – including thousands of hours of test flights – the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.

“This is a major win for American manufacturing and our nation’s status as a global aviation powerhouse,” Duffy added, as quoted by nypost.com.

CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors that the Max 10 accounts for roughly 30% of Boeing’s 737 backlog, which totals more than 4,500 aircraft.

An anonymous Transportation Department official told the Independent that Secretary Duffy would share the decision during his plant visit.

How it came about

The Max 10’s certification follows years of regulatory setbacks, including a software glitch investigation reported by Felo News on 27 September 2026 (FAA probes Boeing 737 Max software glitch) and earlier safety and production problems. The FAA has gradually eased restrictions over the past 18 months, raising production limits and allowing Boeing in July to resume certifying all of its 737 Max and 787 planes. The approval also follows recent large orders for Boeing’s narrow‑body jets, such as Turkish Airlines’ 150‑jet deal reported by Felo on 25 September 2026.

Key facts

The FAA approved Boeing's 737 Max 10 for passenger service. (nypost.com)
Deliveries of the 230‑seat Max 10 are scheduled to begin in 2027. (independent.co.uk)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA completed extensive safety reviews. (nypost.com)