The Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing's 737 Max 10 on October 20, 2026, clearing the largest Max for passenger service. The jet seats up to 230 people and, Boeing says, uses 20% less fuel than older single-aisle aircraft.
Boeing has 1,555 orders from more than 30 customers, including United Airlines, Ryanair and Delta Air Lines. Deliveries begin in early 2027, with WestJet first through lessor Aviation Capital Group; Alaska Airlines expects its first jets late in the first quarter of 2027 and 22 during the year. The Max 10 is the first airliner certified under the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, and its enhanced angle-of-attack system will become standard across the Max family.
Why it matters
The Max 10 is Boeing's answer to Airbus's A321neo; certification lets airlines add up to 230 seats per single-aisle flight.
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Key Indicators
1,555
Max 10 orders
Orders from more than 30 customers, over 30% of the 737 Max backlog.
230
Max passengers
Maximum seating in the Max 10's densest layout.
5,740 km
Max range
Range of up to 3,100 nautical miles.
20%
Fuel and CO2 reduction
Boeing's figure for fuel use and CO2 emissions compared with older single-aisle aircraft.
2,000+
Certification flight hours
Boeing said the program logged more than 2,000 flight hours and 1,000 hours of ground testing.
167
United's order
Largest identified Max 10 order. Boeing named United a launch customer for the variant in 2017.
15 events
Latest: November 2nd, 2026 · 1 week ago
Showing 8 of 15
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November 2026
Delta and American outline Max 10 cabin plans
LatestBusiness
Delta, which ordered 100 Max 10s with options for 30 more, expects deliveries in 2027 and plans seatback entertainment, power outlets and satellite Wi-Fi. American will add 4K seatback screens from 2028 and Starlink internet across more than 1,000 mainline aircraft.
October 2026
FAA approval starts fleetwide upgrade clock
Regulatory
Aviation Week reported that certifying the 737-10 starts the clock on required safety enhancements for the rest of the 737 Max fleet. Deliveries of the largest Max are set to begin in early 2027.
Duffy says U.S. certification takes longer than Europe's
Politics
In comments reported by UPI, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said certifying a Boeing aircraft in Europe takes about half the time it does in the U.S. He argued the country has to approve aircraft faster to compete.
Alaska sets late Q1 2027 for first Max 10
Business
On its third-quarter earnings call, Alaska Air Group said it expects its first Max 10 late in the first quarter of 2027 and 22 deliveries during the year. CEO Ben Minicucci, who attended the certification ceremony, called the jet 'a thing of beauty.'
FAA certifies Max 10 for passenger service
Regulatory
The FAA issues an amended type certificate and production approval, completing the 737 Max family.
Launch customer ACG names WestJet for first 737-10 delivery
Business
Aviation Capital Group, a launch customer for the 737-10, welcomed the FAA certification and said its first customer delivery of the jet will go to WestJet.
Alaska Airlines sets Q2 2027 for first Max 10
Business
Alaska Airlines, which ordered 105 Max 10s in January 2026, said it expects its first Max 10 in the second quarter of 2027. At least 25 will carry 12 Aurora lie-flat suites, a first for its 737 fleet.
September 2026
Navigation software issue raises late delay risk
Regulatory
A navigation software problem disclosed in late September threatened to push certification back again. The FAA decided it did not pose a safety concern and did not require a fix before approval.
July 2026
Boeing opens a fourth 737 Max assembly line in Everett
Business
Boeing added a 737 Max final assembly line at its Everett, Washington plant, the first outside Renton, which the company said lifts output toward 52 aircraft a month.
2026
FAA certifies the smaller Max 7
Regulatory
Boeing said the FAA certified the smaller Max 7 earlier in 2026, leaving the Max 10 as the last uncertified model in the family.
January 2024
Alaska Airlines Max 9 panel blows out midair
Accident
A door panel detaches from a Max 9 during flight, renewing scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing practices.
2020
Boeing expects first Max 10 delivery in 2023
Forecast
Boeing's annual report says the Max 10 will make its first delivery in 2023. That target later slips to 2027.
March 2019
Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 crashes
Accident
A second Max 8 crash kills 157 people. The aircraft is grounded worldwide for 20 months.
October 2018
Lion Air Max 8 crashes off Indonesia
Accident
A 737 Max 8 crashes, killing 189 people. A flight-control system is later linked to the crash.
June 2017
Max 10 unveiled at Paris air show
Product Launch
Boeing introduces the Max 10 as its answer to Airbus's A321neo.
Scenarios
1
Boeing delivers first Max 10 in 2027 as planned
Likely
Resolves by End of 2027
Discussed by: Boeing, which said it expects deliveries to begin in 2027
Boeing begins delivering Max 10s to customers in 2027. Airlines integrate the aircraft into their fleets, adding capacity on single-aisle routes. This would mark a recovery milestone for Boeing after years of production problems.
2
Production or safety issues delay Max 10 deliveries
Possible
Resolves by End of 2027
Discussed by: Industry analysts citing Boeing's recent quality problems
Boeing encounters production or safety issues that delay Max 10 deliveries beyond 2027. The FAA could ground the aircraft or halt production if problems emerge, as it did with the Max 9 in 2024.
3
Max 10 wins new orders, gains on A321neo
Possible
Resolves by End of 2027
Discussed by: Boeing and airline industry observers
The Max 10's certification prompts airlines to place new orders, building on the existing 1,555. Boeing's lower per-seat costs and 20% fuel savings make it attractive to carriers facing high jet fuel prices.
4
Alaska Airlines flies its first lie-flat Max 10 in 2027
Likely
Resolves by End of 2027
Discussed by: Alaska Airlines, which said it expects its first Max 10 in the second quarter of 2027
Alaska takes delivery of its first Max 10 and puts the 12-suite Aurora lie-flat cabin on transcontinental routes. Alaska has not said which routes the suites will fly first or when the first lie-flat Max 10 will carry passengers.
5
Europe's aviation regulator certifies the Max 10 before 2027 deliveries
Likely
Resolves by Q2 2027
Discussed by: Air Data News, which noted that approval from authorities outside the U.S. is still needed for some customers
The FAA's certificate covers U.S. operations. Airlines based in Europe and other regions need their own regulators to sign off before the Max 10 can fly for them, and Boeing has not said when those approvals will land.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
March 2019 - November 2020
737 Max 8 grounding (2019)
Two 737 Max 8 crashes killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. The aircraft was grounded worldwide for 20 months while Boeing fixed a flight-control system linked to both accidents.
Then
Boeing paid billions in settlements and compensation. The FAA overhauled its certification process for Boeing aircraft.
Now
The crashes produced the stricter certification standards that the Max 10 had to meet, including the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act.
Why this matters now
The Max 10's certification reflects the safety requirements imposed after these crashes.
2 of 3
January - April 2013
Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery grounding (2013)
The 787 Dreamliner was grounded for four months in 2013 after lithium-ion battery fires on two aircraft. Boeing redesigned the battery system and the aircraft returned to service.
Then
The grounding halted 787 deliveries and cost Boeing hundreds of millions of dollars.
Now
The 787 became a commercial success, showing Boeing could recover from a safety crisis and restore customer confidence.
Why this matters now
The Max 10 faces a similar test: can Boeing overcome its safety reputation and deliver a successful aircraft?
3 of 3
2017
Airbus A321neo entry into service (2017)
Airbus's A321neo, the Max 10's direct competitor, entered service in 2017. The largest A321neo carries more passengers and flies farther without refueling than the Max 10.
Then
Airbus gained a head start in the single-aisle market while the Max 10 was delayed.
Now
The A321neo became the best-selling version of the A320neo family, putting pressure on Boeing to deliver the Max 10.
Why this matters now
The Max 10's certification lets Boeing finally compete directly with the A321neo.
