Boeing 737 MAX 10 Completes Final Certification Flight As FAA Approval Nears – Airport Spotting

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Boeing has reached a major milestone in the development of its largest single-aisle airliner, with the 737 MAX 10 completing its final planned certification flight as the aircraft moves into the closing stages of the approval process.

The flight marks the culmination of one of the longest and most closely scrutinised certification programmes in Boeing’s history, bringing the manufacturer a significant step closer to finally delivering the aircraft to customers after years of delays.

Nearly 1,000 Test Flights

The 737 MAX 10 certification campaign has been extensive.

According to Boeing, the programme has included:

• 976 flight tests
• More than 2,060 flight hours
• Over 1,040 hours of ground testing

The final planned certification flight was carried out by Boeing’s flight test team, after which the programme moves into the final stages of documentation and regulatory review with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Boeing described the achievement as the result of years of work by engineers, pilots and certification specialists, with the company now focused on closing out the remaining certification activities.

The Largest Member Of The MAX Family

Launched at the 2017 Paris Air Show, the 737 MAX 10 is the largest variant of the MAX family.

At 43.8 metres (143 ft 8 in) long, it is designed to compete directly with the Airbus A321neo and offers airlines the highest seating capacity in the 737 family, accommodating up to 230 passengers in a single-class layout.

Like the rest of the MAX family, it is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and features Boeing’s Advanced Technology winglets, delivering improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared with earlier-generation 737NG aircraft.

Years Of Delays

The MAX 10’s route to certification has been far from straightforward.

Originally expected to enter service several years ago, the programme was delayed following the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX family after two fatal accidents involving the MAX 8. Subsequent regulatory reforms resulted in much greater scrutiny of Boeing’s certification processes.

Further delays followed as Boeing redesigned the aircraft’s engine anti-ice system and worked to satisfy new certification requirements introduced by regulators.

Completion of the flight-test programme therefore represents a significant milestone for both Boeing and its airline customers, many of whom have been waiting years to receive the aircraft.

Who Has Ordered The MAX 10?

The 737 MAX 10 has attracted strong interest from airlines seeking a high-capacity narrowbody aircraft.

Major customers include:

• Ryanair
• United Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Alaska Airlines
• VietJet Air
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Lufthansa Group
• International Airlines Group (IAG)

The type is expected to become an important competitor to the Airbus A321neo on busy domestic and short-haul international routes.

What Happens Next?

Although the final planned certification flight has now been completed, the aircraft has not yet received FAA certification.

The remaining work includes the regulator’s review of flight-test data, documentation and compliance evidence before the aircraft can officially be certificated and delivered to customers. Boeing continues to target certification later in 2026, with first customer deliveries expected to begin in 2027, assuming the remaining regulatory process proceeds as planned.

For Boeing, the milestone represents another sign that its long-running certification programmes are finally nearing completion. With the MAX 10 almost across the finish line and work continuing on the smaller MAX 7, the manufacturer is edging closer to offering airlines its full next-generation 737 family for the first time.