The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737-10, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, paving the way for the aircraft manufacturer to begin deliveries in the coming months.

Boeing announced the certification on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following an extensive programme of flight testing, safety assessments and design reviews.

The approval of the amended type certificate completes the 737 MAX family and clears the way for Boeing to deliver the aircraft to airlines that have placed orders for the model.

The 737-10 can accommodate up to 230 passengers in a maximum seating configuration, while its typical two-class layout provides between 185 and 210 seats.

According to Boeing, the aircraft offers lower seat costs than any single-aisle aircraft currently in service, alongside a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 kilometres).

The manufacturer said the aircraft also offers 365 nautical miles more range than competing models without auxiliary fuel tanks, positioning it to serve a wider range of short- and medium-haul markets.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Pope, said the certification would create additional opportunities for airlines through increased capacity, extended range and improved seat economics.

She said the 737-10 would strengthen Boeing’s single-aisle aircraft portfolio by providing airlines with greater flexibility in meeting their fleet and network requirements.

More than 30 customers worldwide have ordered the 737-10, with total orders reaching 1,555 aircraft, representing more than 30 per cent of the 737 MAX programme’s current order book.

The aircraft also introduces safety enhancements, including an improved Angle-of-Attack system that Boeing said would become standard across the 737 MAX family.

The certification programme involved more than 2,000 flight-test hours and 1,000 hours of ground testing, alongside extensive documentation and formal engagements with the FAA.

Boeing said the 737-10 was the first commercial aircraft to be certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, which introduced enhanced requirements for documenting safety assessments and human-factors evaluations.

Chris Payne, Vice President and General Manager of 737 Airplane Development Programmes at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the flight-test team conducted a methodical campaign to validate the aircraft’s systems.

The 737-10 is the latest addition to the 737 MAX family, which includes the 737-7, 737-8, 737-8-200 and 737-9.

Boeing said the 737 MAX programme had secured 7,350 orders, with nearly 2,500 aircraft delivered as of the end of September 2026.

The manufacturer said the 737-10’s technological advancements would deliver a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with the aircraft it replaces.

The certification marks a significant milestone for Boeing as it works to expand deliveries of the 737 MAX family and meet demand from airlines seeking fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft.