U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to announce FAA type certification for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 on Tuesday during a plant visit in Everett, Washington, following a successful Type Certification Board review and despite unresolved software glitch concerns.
FAA Clears Final Hurdle for Boeing Aircraft
Federal aviation regulators cleared the final major formal hurdle for Boeing’s largest single-aisle aircraft on Friday during a Type Certification Board meeting, setting the stage for formal approval according to industry sources consulted by Reuters. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is scheduled to make the official announcement at Boeing’s plant in Everett, Washington, during a visit to the facility’s new assembly line known internally as the North Line.
The milestone arrives years behind schedule. Boeing had initially planned to begin commercial deliveries of the stretched variant in 2020. The program faced extended delays following heightened regulatory scrutiny after two fatal MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, subsequent manufacturing quality investigations, and an engine anti-ice system issue that emerged in 2023. Certification of the smaller 737 MAX 7 was granted in August after more than eight years of review.
Airlines Hesitate over Navigation Software Glitch
The path to certification hit a late obstacle in September when Boeing disclosed a glitch in the latest update to the 737 MAX’s navigation software.
The FAA determined that it did not pose a safety concern and did not require Boeing to fix the problem as a condition of certifying the aircraft.
While regulators deemed the behavior safe for certification, major carriers have reacted with caution. Canadian carrier WestJet first identified the issue following a test flight, while several buyers reportedly told Boeing that they would refuse delivery of any aircraft fitted with the software containing the glitch. United Airlines informed Simple Flying that it was not taking deliveries of aircraft with this version, and Boeing does not expect to deploy a permanent software fix until 2028.
Certification Unlocks Revenue from 1,500 Jet Orders
Securing the type certificate unlocks a critical revenue stream for Boeing’s commercial airplane division, as airlines have ordered nearly 1,500 MAX 10 jets, accounting for approximately 30 percent of the manufacturer’s total 737 backlog. The aircraft seats up to 230 passengers in a high-density layout or 188 to 204 in a typical two-class configuration.
Major customers with significant firm commitments include United Airlines with roughly 167 orders, Ryanair with 150 firm orders plus 150 options, and Alaska Airlines with 105 firm orders and rights on another 35. For Boeing, finalizing certification also enables full utilization of the newly opened Everett North Line, which is instrumental in the planemaker’s target to raise its overall 737 production rate to 52 aircraft per month next year.