Boeing’s biggest 737 can finally get to work. Boeing will start delivering the 737 MAX 10 to airlines in the next few months, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already granted certification for the jet on October 20, 2026. With this approval, every variant of the 737 MAX family is now certified.

This is a momentous occasion for Boeing, and for the airlines that have been eagerly waiting for this plane for years. So what is the problem, what is the jet capable of, who is purchasing the jet, and what's it going to mean for travelers?

Why It Took So Long

The 737 MAX 10 is extremely late! Obviously, that didn't happen because Boeing originally wanted to deliver it in 2020. Prior to the world-wide grounding in 2019, there were high-profile accidents involving MAX planes. More stringent rules came after that and the continuous problems with the engine anti-ice system pushed certification even further and further back.

Then, in September, Boeing announced a problem with the latest software update for the 737 MAX's navigation system. This meant the certification could be delayed again. Each delay for those airlines who had already drawn up their plans around this new aircraft added to the uncertainty surrounding when they could be certain of the additional capacity.

MAX 10 is the first commercial aircraft to receive certification under the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. More detailed documentation of safety assessments along the way and more human factors evaluations are required by law. Boeing says the program involved nearly 1,000 test flights, over 2,000 hours of flight time and 1,000 hours of ground testing.

The jet also features an upgraded Angle-of-Attack system, which Boeing will standardise on the MAX family. The upgrades will be added to existing MAX aircraft from other variants until October 2019. Thus, this certification will have a wider impact than the MAX 10 itself.

• The 737 MAX 10, by the Numbers
• Maximum capacity of 230 passengers
• Standard layout, 185-210 passengers
• Range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (3,567 miles)
• The Boeing 737-200LR is expected to save 20 percent on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the company claims.

The MAX 10 is the biggest of the 737 MAX family. It is engineered for high-traffic routes, those on which airlines wish to transport more passengers on a single flight but do not want to fly up to a wider, larger aircraft.

In what way does it compare with the competition?

For comparison, the 737 MAX 9 seats 175 to 195 passengers in a typical two-class cabin. The MAX 10’s real rival is the Airbus A321neo. The A321neo is certified to carry up to 244 seats, due to its Cabin-Flex feature. Boeing claims that the MAX 10 has the ability to travel 365 nmi further than rival aircraft without additional fuel tanks.

But, there was a price to this repeated delay. The A321neo stole a bigger portion of the all-important single-aisle market as the MAX 10 remained on the sidelines. Single-aisle jets are the backbone of the airline fleet, and that is a major blow from which Boeing will need to bounce back.

Who Is Buying It

Currently, Boeing has more than 30 customers and 1,555 orders for its new 10-seater, MAX. That represents more than 30% of all 737 MAX orders of the different models unfilled. Alaska Airlines, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines are among the major customers. Ryanair has put it in second place after Delta, with an order for up to 300 jets, among the potential customers.

But the club at the club is not 100% sure at the moment. In early 2024, CEO Scott Kirby stated that the airline will develop a fleet plan excluding the MAX 10, at the time, due to the uncertainty around the certification process. United may be able to turn things around now the jet is certified. To be determined.

Alaska Airlines has also released an approximate configuration for its MAX 10s including Premium Reserve seating. That's a sign of how airlines are already considering how to make the most of the additional room, beyond the potential of extra seats, and also how they might utilize it to create more premium services on their aircraft.

For travelers, what does this imply?

If one is any next week, don't look forward to it. Boeing says deliveries will start in the coming months. Prior to this approval, it had set 2027 as a target for certification and first deliveries. Although both timelines may prove true 2027 is still just over two months away.

Boeing has already embarked on the project. As of late July, Cirium reported nine MAX 10s were built and parked. Despite that, airlines will still take time to add new planes to their fleets and schedules.

When it is in service you're likely to see it on highly trafficked domestic routes where airlines are looking for an increase in seats per flight. Having more seats, however, does not mean that there will be more award space! The number of seats available for miles bookings is at the discretion of the airline, and is unlikely to change significantly for any other type of plane.

A brand new aircraft also does not guarantee an improved cabin. Each airline will vary the width of their seats, the legroom and whether they have Wi-Fi and power outlets. The aircraft type and seat map should be checked before booking and aircraft swaps are frequent.

What About Your Miles and Status

This certification will have no impact on the award pricing or elite benefits you receive as a United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards or American AAdvantage member.

This is important to keep in mind as new planes are introduced, and people begin to hope for a better deal. The certification in this instance is not related to the way loyalty programs charge for seats or pay out their loyalty members.

The Bottom Line

Over a number of years, Boeing's 737 MAX 10 has been beset by frustrating delays, but now it has been certified by the FAA, and deliveries may start in the near term. A dozen U.S. airlines and others have placed orders for the jet, though the intentions of United are a tad murky.

The travel industry will have to wait and see the effect it will have on travellers. If the MAX 10 is on your itinerary, the name of the aircraft will be less important to your in-flight experience than the interior configuration of the airline's cabin. In the meantime, watch the announcements on the aircraft, see what type of plane is being announced before booking, and savor the time you have spent waiting for one of the longest wait times in aviation history to finally pass.