US aviation regulator approves Boeing 737 Max 10 for passenger service

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday approved the Boeing 737 Max 10 for passenger service. It is the largest model in the 737 Max family of narrow-body jets made by the American manufacturer Boeing, and the certification ends years of delays. The approval allows the aircraft to be sold to both domestic and foreign airlines.

The certification is another step in Boeing's effort to restore its reputation and finances after years of safety, quality and production problems. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it followed extensive safety reviews, including thousands of hours of test flights, and called it a major win for American manufacturing. He spoke during a visit to Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington.

Capacity and orders

According to Boeing, the Max 10 typically seats 185–210 passengers, compared with 175–195 on the Max 9 and 160–180 on the Max 8. For airlines, a larger plane can carry more people on one flight and potentially lower the cost per seat. The effect on fares will depend on how carriers deploy the aircraft and how much competition they face.

More than 30 customers worldwide have ordered 1,555 Max 10s that have not yet been delivered, which is over 30% of Boeing's total 737 Max backlog. Major customers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Ryanair. Alaska Airlines joined them in January, ordering 105 aircraft with options for 35 more.

Competition and background

The Max 10 is meant to compete with Airbus's A321neo family. The largest A321neo can carry more passengers and fly farther without refuelling, but Boeing designed the Max 10 to burn less fuel than older aircraft. That could appeal to airlines facing higher jet fuel costs amid the US war with Iran.

The model was introduced at the Paris air show in 2017, but technical and regulatory hurdles repeatedly delayed certification. Boeing's difficulties intensified after two fatal Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, off Indonesia and in Ethiopia, which killed 346 people. Afterwards the FAA overhauled how it certifies Boeing aircraft, though over the past 18 months it has gradually eased some restrictions, including raising the limit on production. The FAA cleared the Max 7 in August, so the Max 10 completes the line-up of four 737 Max models. Each individual aircraft must still be cleared before carrying passengers.