On Tuesday, October 20, the FAA granted official certification to the Boeing 737 MAX 10, marking it as the longest variant in the 737 family.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 offers the lowest per-seat cost
The 737-10 rounds out the 737 MAX lineup, providing airlines with a versatile and efficient single-aisle aircraft option. This model builds on the established design of its predecessors while enhancing its capabilities, allowing it to carry up to 230 passengers in its maximum configuration.
According to Boeing, it offers the lowest per-seat costs of any single-aisle aircraft currently flying and boasts an impressive 365 nautical miles more range than its rivals, all without needing extra fuel tanks. Moreover, the aircraft comes with significant safety upgrades, including a revamped Angle-of-Attack system (MCAS) that will be standard across the entire 737 MAX family.
Stephanie Pope, the president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, shared her excitement, stating,
“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 provides greater capacity, longer range, and the best seat economics in its class, creating more value and opportunities for airlines worldwide.”
She expressed her joy in finalizing the 737 MAX family and delivering the most efficient and adaptable single-aisle aircraft portfolio in the industry to customers.
Worldwide, over 30 customers have already placed orders for the 737-10, totaling 1,555 airplanes, which accounts for more than 30 percent of the current order book for the 737 MAX program.
Boeing conducted 3000 hours of testing
The 737-10 is particularly noteworthy as it is the first commercial airplane certified under the full scope of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA), which mandated improved documentation of safety assessments and evaluations of human factors.
To comply with ACSAA and FAA certification standards, Boeing conducted an extensive certification program for the 737-10, which involved over 2,000 flight hours and 1,000 hours of ground testing, alongside tens of thousands of pages of documentation and numerous formal discussions with the FAA.
Chris Payne, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Development Programs at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, noted,
“Our flight test team executed a disciplined, methodical campaign to validate every system. That rigor gives us confidence as we move toward deliveries.”
He expressed pride in the dedication and professionalism of the entire team.
MCAS controversy
It is worth mentioning that one of the systems that was modified is MCAS, which was at the center of controversy following two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. The incidents led to multiple investigations and prompted several Boeing employees and former employees to raise safety and build quality concerns.
Among them was whistleblower John Barnett, whose family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boeing and reached a confidential settlement with the company in 2025. Boeing denied wrongdoing.
