FAA poised to certify Boeing 737 MAX 10 within days

The Federal Aviation Administration held a Type Certification Board meeting on October 16, 2026, and is expected to issue the type certificate for Boeing's 737 MAX 10 as early as the week beginning October 19. Boeing has completed the flight‑test campaign and resolved a recent flight‑management software issue that the FAA deemed non‑critical. Certification would clear the final regulatory hurdle for the largest 737 variant, which is slated for first deliveries in 2027.

The approval could unlock revenue from roughly 1,500 pending orders, about 30% of Boeing's 737 backlog, and allow cash collection tied to those deliveries (the company says).

  • 1The FAA Type Certification Board met on Friday, October 16, 2026.
  • 2The FAA could issue the type certificate as soon as the week beginning October 19, 2026.
  • 3Boeing completed 976 flights and more than 2,060 flight‑test hours for the MAX 10 program.
  • 4A flight‑management computer software issue was reviewed in late September but the FAA determined it posed no safety concern.
  • 5The MAX 10 accounts for close to 30% of Boeing's undelivered 737 family backlog.
  • Materials report different counts of pending orders: 1,555 unfilled orders versus 1,533 firm orders.

Sources