Federal regulators cleared a software update in certain Boeing 737 MAX flight computers on Friday, determining it does not pose a flight-safety issue and paving the way for the certification of the 737 MAX 10.
The determination by the Federal Aviation Administration on October 2, 2026, removes an immediate regulatory roadblock that had threatened to stall the final model in the manufacturer’s narrowbody line just as Boeing seeks to sell and deliver more aircraft following years of manufacturing and safety crises. Federal safety experts reviewed the flight computer software issue and concluded it did not require a safety grounding.
Navigation Software Glitch Triggers During Landing Operations
The software issue surfaced in versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system developed by GE Aerospace for the MAX flight management computer. The problem emerges under a precise sequence of flight events: a pilot abandons a landing, initiates a go-around, and then modifies a preprogrammed flight path for a subsequent approach where crew workload is already elevated.
In those specific circumstances, the automated vertical navigation system—known as VNAV—may disengage. VNAV automates altitude and descent guidance. When the system drops offline, flight crews must execute additional steps manually to reengage automated tools or manage altitude and descent without them.
The Corrective Action Review Board established by the regulator backed that assessment because human pilots preserve complete control of the airliner and cockpit indications remain clear and unambiguous according to agency statements. Boeing originally learned of the issue from an airline in November 2024 and initially concluded in February 2025 that it did not meet the threshold for a safety review. However, additional operator feedback prompted the manufacturer to launch a formal review board earlier this year.
Airlines Reject the Affected Software Versions
Major domestic carriers have moved quickly to distance their active fleets from the update. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines asked Boeing to supply incoming aircraft with an older operating software version rather than taking delivery of jets equipped with versions U.14 and U.14.1 according to airline statements.
- Southwest Airlines confirmed that none of its aircraft, including newly delivered MAX 8 jets, run version U.14.
- United Airlines stated it is not accepting deliveries of any MAX aircraft equipped with the new software.
- Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Allegiant Air reported that their in-service fleets operate without the affected system.
Boeing communicated the software anomaly to 737 operators in late August, reinforcing existing cockpit procedures and working alongside GE Aerospace on a permanent software patch as company engineers accelerate their update schedule.
Certification Timeline for the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10
While the FAA’s clearance paves the way for the 737 MAX 10 after previous delays tied to the investigation, questions remain regarding aircraft deliveries. The FAA certified the smaller 737 MAX 7 in early August with the newest software installed.
Regulatory rules require newly constructed airframes to match the configuration approved during initial certification. This creates operational uncertainty regarding whether Boeing can deliver aircraft such as the MAX 7—destined for Southwest—using older software configurations without clearing additional regulatory hurdles.
The federal agency stated it will issue a special bulletin instructing flight crews on how to recognize and handle the navigation condition should it occur in service. Meanwhile, Boeing and its engine and systems partners continue development on a permanent software update to replace the temporary procedural guidance.