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Boeing earns FAA certification for smallest 737 Max variant

Federal regulators have cleared the 737 Max 7 for deliveries following nearly eight years of testing.

The short version

  • The Federal Aviation Administration certified the Boeing 737 Max 7, allowing deliveries of the smallest 737 Max variant to begin.
  • Southwest Airlines is scheduled to receive the first deliveries of the Max 7, which holds fewer than 300 total orders.
  • FAA inspectors will remain at Boeing manufacturing facilities as the company expands production.
  • Boeing anticipates receiving regulatory certification for its largest variant, the Max 10, later this year.

Key facts

  • The FAA granted certification to the Boeing 737 Max 7 after almost eight years of testing.[Jalopnik]
  • The Max 7 is the smallest 737 Max variant, carrying up to 160 passengers with a range of 3,800 nautical miles.[Jalopnik]
  • Southwest Airlines will take initial delivery of the Max 7 and accounts for the majority of the fewer than 300 orders placed for the model.[Jalopnik]
  • FAA inspectors will remain on site at Boeing assembly facilities as production increases.[Jalopnik]
  • Boeing expects FAA approval for its largest variant, the Max 10, later in the year.[Jalopnik]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact date when the Max 7 will enter commercial passenger service remains unconfirmed.[Jalopnik]
  • Whether the Max 10 will receive FAA certification before the end of the year as expected.[Jalopnik]

Sources