The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737 Max 7, the smallest model in the Boeing 737 Max aircraft family.
The certification follows nearly a decade of delays. The FAA stated the approval reflects years of work to resolve technical issues and complete reviews of the airplane's design and safety analyses.
Certification was delayed by increased regulatory scrutiny following the fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, other manufacturing crises, and the redesign of an engine anti-icing system.
346 people
Total killed in the Boeing 737 Max 8 fatal crashes
The FAA said the Boeing 737 Max 7 required improvements to the flight-control software, flightcrew alerting system, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system to prevent engine overheating.
Following the Max 8 crashes, the FAA had previously stripped Boeing of the ability to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Production and pending certifications
Boeing opened a new production line for 737 Max airplanes in Everett, Washington, in July.
The manufacturer is currently awaiting FAA certification for the Boeing 737 Max 10, the largest model in the 737 Max family, as well as the Boeing 777X, which is the company's largest plane.
Updates
The certification comes more than eight years after the aircraft's maiden flight, following 441 flight tests spanning 686 hours. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope stated the approval 'validates the rigor of our airplane's design,' while the company confirmed it is already readying the first units for delivery to Southwest Airlines. Additionally, the FAA has greenlighted production increases for the 737 MAX, raising limits from 38 to 42 and subsequently to 47 units.
The Boeing 737 MAX 7, which has a maximum capacity of 172 seats, is being prepared for its first deliveries to launch customer Southwest Airlines. To achieve this certification, Boeing completed 441 flight tests spanning 686 test flight hours. Additionally, the FAA has authorized increases in Boeing 737 MAX production, raising limits from 38 to 42 and then to 47 units.
The certification comes more than eight years after the aircraft's maiden flight, following 441 flight tests totaling 686 test hours. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope stated the achievement 'validates the rigor of our airplane's design,' and the company is now readying the first aircraft for delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines. Additionally, the FAA has greenlighted increases in Boeing 737 MAX production from current levels to 42 and eventually 47 units.
In addition to the aircraft certification, the FAA has granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. To achieve this, Boeing completed a rigorous process involving 441 flight tests over 686 hours, with the company now readying the first airplanes for delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 (PC 700) for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. To achieve this, Boeing completed 441 flight tests over 686 hours as part of a process described as the most detailed safety review in aviation history. Additionally, the company is readying the first airplanes for delivery to its launch customer, Southwest Airlines.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. To achieve this, Boeing completed 441 flight tests over 686 test flight hours, while the company prepares the first airplanes for delivery to Southwest Airlines. Additionally, the FAA has greenlighted production increases for the 737 MAX family from 38 to 42, and subsequently from 42 to 47 aircraft.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. To achieve this certification, Boeing conducted over 1,000 flight and ground tests, with the 737-7 being designed as the longest-range member of the MAX family. Additionally, the FAA has authorized production rate increases for the MAX line, moving from 38 to 42 and subsequently to 47 aircraft.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. Additionally, the agency has greenlit increases in Boeing 737 MAX production rates from 38 to 42, and subsequently from 42 to 47 units. Boeing is currently readying the first airplanes for delivery to its launch customer, Southwest Airlines.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. Additionally, the agency has greenlighted production rate increases for the MAX family, raising it from 38 to 42 and subsequently from 42 to 47 units. Boeing is currently preparing the first aircraft for delivery to its launch customer, Southwest Airlines.
Alongside the certification, the FAA has granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. Boeing's president of Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope, stated that the certification 'validates the rigor of our airplane's design.' Additionally, the aircraft has a maximum capacity of 172 seats, and Boeing is already preparing the first units for delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines.
The FAA has also granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. While the certification follows 441 flight tests, the primary technical obstacle addressed was the risk of engine air intake overheating when the anti-icing system was activated. Additionally, Boeing is preparing the first aircraft for delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines.
The FAA has granted Boeing Production Certificate 700 for the 737-7 model, authorizing its serial production and delivery. This certification follows a process involving 441 flight tests and 686 test flight hours to address technical obstacles such as engine air intake overheating risks. Boeing is now readying the first aircraft for delivery to its launch customer, Southwest Airlines, which expects them in the first quarter of 2027.
