Boeing 737 Max 7 wins FAA certification after nearly a decade of delays

Published Aug 5, 01:31 PM UTC

The FAA certified Boeing's 737 Max 7 on August 3, 2026, clearing the smallest jet in the bestselling family for passenger service after nearly a decade of delays and safety reviews. The approval allows Boeing to begin deliveries, but passengers may not fly on the jet until 2027. Southwest Airlines, the launch customer and largest buyer, has not scheduled the Max 7 through March 2027, citing the need for six months to update manuals, training, and interiors. The certification follows years of crisis after two Max 8 crashes and a 2024 door plug incident on a Max 9. The FAA required flight-control software updates, cockpit-alert upgrades, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system. Certification could unlock cash from about 30 completed Max 7s in inventory, helping Boeing rebuild cash flow. Attention now shifts to the larger Max 10 and long-delayed 777X.