Boeing 737-10 Wins FAA Certification, Clearing Path for 1,555 Orders

Cover image: The first Boeing 737-10, N27751, at its roll-out in November 2019 (file photo) — photo by lamblukas, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The US Federal Aviation Administration certified the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, on Tuesday 20 October. Launched at the 2017 Paris Air Show, it was originally due to enter service in 2020, according to Aviation Week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy handed over the amended type certificate and Production Certificate 700 at a small ceremony in Everett, Washington, Boeing said.

The approval clears deliveries of 1,555 aircraft ordered by more than 30 customers, which Boeing says is more than 30 per cent of unfilled 737 MAX orders. Boeing says handovers will begin "in the coming months" but has named no first customer or date. Europe's regulator has yet to approve the type.

What did the FAA approve, and what is still missing?

Boeing said certification took nearly 1,000 test flights, more than 2,000 flight hours and 1,000 ground-test hours, and that the 737-10 is the first commercial aircraft certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. It adds an enhanced angle-of-attack system that Boeing says will become standard across the MAX family. The smaller 737-7 was certified in August.

Approval came 22 days after FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said on 28 September that a new software bug, which could cut off automated landing guidance during a go-around, would delay it, CNBC reported.

Europe is next. "The very last steps are sequential in nature and will take a few months," the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) told Aviation Week. Air Data News notes that some other customers also need approval from authorities outside the US.

When will airlines receive the first 737-10s?

Forecasts differ. Aviation Week says deliveries should start "either late this year or in early 2027", with United and WestJet the expected first operators. Air Data News expects the first delivery in early 2027 and reports that lessor Aviation Capital Group says it will hand that aircraft to WestJet.

Airline timelines run later. United expects its first 737-10s in summer 2027, CNBC reported on 23 August. Alaska Airlines is aiming for its first passenger services in April or May 2027, after separate certification work on its pilots' head-up display, according to Aviation A2Z.

Aviation Week Fleet Discovery shows 27 737-10s already rolled out. Boeing reports third-quarter results on Tuesday 27 October.

Which airlines have ordered the 737-10?

Boeing does not publish a full customer-by-variant breakdown, Air Data News notes, and some orders have since been converted between MAX models. The table lists the largest identified orders and the main Asia-Pacific ones, as announced at the time, so some may have changed; our 2026 aircraft orders and deliveries tracker covers the wider market.

On these figures, United, American, Alaska and Delta together account for 487 aircraft, about 31 per cent of the total (our calculation).

What does the 737-10 mean for Asia-Pacific airlines?

Boeing quotes 185 to 210 seats in two classes, up to 230 at maximum density, and a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km), shorter than the 737-7, -8 and -9. It claims a 20 per cent cut in fuel use and CO2 emissions.

Korean Air finalised 50 737-10s on 16 September within its 103-aircraft Boeing order. VietJet's February 2019 order for 80 made it the largest Asian customer of the type, Boeing said at the time. Separately, VietJet faces the UK court asset freeze we reported this month.

Lion Air Group, Malaysia Aviation Group and Air India also hold orders. Boeing did not disclose how many of Akasa Air's 150 aircraft, ordered in January 2024, are 737-10s.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Boeing 737-10 start carrying passengers?

No date is confirmed. Boeing says deliveries begin in the coming months, and Aviation Week reports first handovers slated for late 2026 or early 2027. Alaska Airlines aims for first passenger flights in April or May 2027, according to Aviation A2Z; United expects its first aircraft in summer 2027, CNBC reported.

How many passengers does the 737-10 carry?

Boeing quotes 185 to 210 seats in a typical two-class cabin and up to 230 at maximum density, with a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km). Ryanair's version will have 228 seats, Boeing and Ryanair said in May 2023.

Can European airlines fly the 737-10 yet?

Not yet. Europe's regulator, EASA, still has to validate the FAA certification and told Aviation Week the final steps will take a few months. Ryanair, Pegasus, Vueling and SunExpress are among the European customers waiting. Ryanair expects 16 in early 2027, chief executive Michael O'Leary told Reuters on 20 October, though Aviation Week put its first in mid-2027.

Which airline has ordered the most 737-10s?

United Airlines has the largest identified order: 167 aircraft, according to its most recent quarterly filing as reported by CNBC. Ryanair follows with 150 firm orders plus 150 options, then American Airlines with 115.

Sources

• Boeing, FAA certifies Boeing 737-10
• Boeing, certification ceremony feature
• Aviation Week, 737 MAX 10 receives FAA certification
• Air Data News, who ordered the 1,555 aircraft?
• Aviation A2Z, 737 MAX 10 cleared by FAA
• CNBC, FAA delays Max 10 over software issue
• CNBC, United's Boeing 737 Max 10 seats
• Reuters via Euronext, Ryanair CEO on MAX 10 deliveries
• Boeing, third-quarter results date