FAA certifies Boeing 737 Max 7 after years of delays

Published Aug 3, 04:45 PM UTC

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified Boeing's 737 Max 7, the smallest model in the 737 Max family, after nearly a decade of delays. The certification, announced on August 3, 2026, follows years of regulatory scrutiny after the fatal crashes of the Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, as well as other safety and manufacturing crises. The FAA required key improvements including flight-control software updates, a redesigned engine anti-ice system, and changes to the flightcrew alerting system. Boeing's stock rose over 5% on the news. Airlines like Southwest Airlines, which expected to fly the plane before the pandemic, can now begin integrating the aircraft into their schedules, though this process may take months. Boeing is still awaiting certification for the larger 737 Max 10 and the 777X. The company has been working to restore trust with the FAA and recently opened a new production line for the 737 Max in Everett, Washington.