U.S. FAA certifies Boeing 737-10, largest member of 737 MAX family

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today certified the newest and largest Boeing 737 MAX airplane, the 737-10, clearing the way for Boeing [NYSE: BA] to begin delivering the airplane in the coming months.

The 737-10 completes the 737 MAX family, which offers airlines the most efficient and flexible single-aisle airplane lineup in aviation. The largest model builds on the family’s common architecture while taking capabilities to a new level:

• Capacity to serve 230 passengers in maximum seating configuration
• Lowest per seat costs of any single-aisle airplane in service
• 365 nautical miles more range than competitors without auxiliary fuel tanks

The airplane also introduces safety enhancements, including an enhanced Angle-of-Attack system that will become standard across the 737 MAX family.

“Completing the certification program clears the path for us to deliver a Boeing airplane that will set a new standard in commercial aviation. The 737-10 offers greater capacity, longer range and the best seat economics in its class, a platform that will create more value and opportunities for airlines around the world,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are also delighted to complete the 737 MAX family and provide our customers the most-efficient and flexible single-aisle airplane portfolio in the industry.”

More than 30 customers around the world have purchased the 737-10 model, with orders totaling 1,555 airplanes to date, or more than 30 percent of the 737 MAX program’s current order book.

The 737-10 is the first commercial airplane to be certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA), which mandated enhanced documentation of safety assessments and human factors evaluations.

In compliance with ACSAA and FAA certification requirements, Boeing completed a rigorous certification program for the 737-10, including:

• More than 2,000 total flight hours, plus 1,000 ground test hours.
• Tens of thousands of pages of documentation and many hours of formal meetings with the FAA.

“Our flight test team ran a disciplined, methodical campaign to validate every system. That rigor gives us confidence as we move toward deliveries,” said Chris Payne, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Development Programs for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “I’m incredibly proud of the entire team for their focus and professionalism.”