Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 Certification: The Final Stretch in 2026

Certification Flight Testing: MAX 10 and MAX 7 Progress

Both variants are now in active flight testing, with the larger MAX 10 slightly behind the MAX 7.

• 737 MAX 10: Entered the second and final phase of FAA certification flight testing (Type Inspection Authorization Phase 2) in January 2026 . By late May 2026, CEO Kelly Ortberg stated that more than 80% of the overall flight test campaign for both variants had been completed . As of July 16, 2026, Boeing executives told reporters that the MAX 10 is 98% through certification flight testing with only two tests remaining .
• 737 MAX 7: Certification flight testing is running on a slightly earlier track. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has targeted certification for August 2026 .

The flight testing involves not only the high-profile in-flight maneuvers but also tens of thousands of hours of parallel system safety assessments being conducted by engineers, a critical but less visible part of the certification process .

Expected Certification and Delivery Timeline

FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau said in June 2026 that the agency is in the "final stages" with "not many hurdles or major milestones" left — only "a last part of the process" involving document processing . The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to validate the FAA's certification at the same time or very soon afterward .

Southwest Airlines, the launch customer for the MAX 7, has told Reuters it is planning around the August 2026 certification timeline, with the first MAX 7 flights expected in early 2027 . Notably, Southwest is not planning to introduce the aircraft into its 2026 fleet, meaning the aircraft — originally supposed to be delivered in 2019 — will be delayed by eight years .

The Farnborough Airshow and Boeing's Broader Commercial Recovery

The certifications are the centerpiece of Boeing's commercial recovery narrative heading into the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow (July 18–22). Unlocking the MAX 7 and MAX 10 clears the way for delivery of over 1,700 aircraft in the global backlog, including 1,290 MAX 10 orders alone worth over $40 billion from carriers such as United Airlines (277 orders), Southwest Airlines (108), and Alaska Airlines (105) .

Boeing is also activating its North Line in Everett, WA, beginning with 737-8 and 737-9 production as a prelude to assembling the MAX 10 immediately after certification . The company will arrive at Farnborough able to demonstrate tangible progress on both its narrowbody and widebody programs — a markedly stronger position than in 2024.

777-9 (777X) Certification Progress and Brake Energy Testing

The 777-9 program has made several important certification advancements in 2026, though first deliveries remain targeted for 2027, several years behind schedule .

• Maximum brake energy test (April 2026): The 777-9 team successfully completed the maximum-energy rejected-takeoff brake test at Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft was loaded to its maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 pounds, accelerated to approximately 190 knots, and then performed a full stop using only carbon brakes worn to service-life limits. The brakes reached temperatures of 2,500°F (1,371°C), causing the wheels to glow red-hot and the fuse plugs to melt as designed .
• TIA Phase 4A (March 2026): The FAA cleared the 777-9 to begin the fourth stage of Type Inspection Authorization testing on March 17, 2026 .
• First production-standard flight (May 2026): Boeing flew the first production-standard 777-9 aircraft, which is destined for launch customer Lufthansa, supporting the certification campaign .
• TIA Phase 4B (June 2026): The FAA approved progression to TIA Phase 4B, a critical piece of securing type certification .

CEO Kelly Ortberg on Safety and Quality

Since taking the helm, Kelly Ortberg has consistently framed safety and quality as the prerequisite for certification recovery. In late May 2026, he stated: "There's clearly light at the end of the tunnel here, and we're going to get these certification programs done" . He has described the certification process as intensely detail-oriented, emphasizing that the company is "still working through the testing phase, focused on finalising the icing design solution" and that both variants remain on track for 2026 . His public posture has been notably more cautious and quality-focused than his predecessors, emphasizing that Boeing will not cut corners to meet schedule targets .

Key Caveat

While all current signals point to certification in 2026, the FAA has noted that flight testing is ongoing and could still surface unexpected issues . The EAI fix documentation processing is described as "very, very intense" with only a few weeks left on the schedule . Any findings in these final weeks could still push timelines into 2027.