FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 7 after nearly a decade of delays

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737 MAX 7, the smallest member of the MAX family, after a certification process that stretched nearly a decade. The approval, announced Monday, marks the first new Boeing aircraft certified since the safety crisis triggered by two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 Source: ABC. Boeing completed 441 test flights totaling 686 hours to secure the certification Source: ABC.

Background

The MAX 7 was originally slated for delivery in 2019, but the timeline collapsed after the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed 189 and 157 people respectively Source: Infobae. The crashes were linked to a faulty design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which activated incorrectly and overwhelmed pilots Source: ABC. A subsequent near-catastrophic incident in January 2024, when a fuselage panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight, further delayed the process Source: ABC.

Certification details

The FAA's approval reflects "years of sustained work to resolve complex technical problems" and a thorough review of the aircraft's design and safety analyses Source: Infobae. The agency had taken over issuing airworthiness certificates from Boeing after the crashes, and in September 2025 began alternating that responsibility with the manufacturer Source: Diario Libre. The MAX 7, which seats 135–160 passengers in a two-class configuration, offers about 10% more range than its siblings and reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20% Source: Infobae.

What's next

Boeing is now seeking certification for the larger MAX 10, which competes with Airbus's A321neo, and the 777X Source: Infobae. The company is also ramping up production of the MAX and 787 Dreamliner, with FAA approval to increase output from 38 to 47 aircraft per month Source: ABC. Following the announcement, Boeing's shares rose more than 6% on Wall Street Source: Diario Libre.