Boeing Targets Year-End Certification for 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10

Key Takeaways

• Boeing aims to certify 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 by end of 2025, focusing on engine anti-icing system.
• FAA enforces a production cap of 38 MAX airplanes monthly until Boeing improves quality and safety.
• MAX 10 backlog: ~1,200 orders; United Airlines expects deliveries no earlier than 2027 due to delays.

Boeing Pushes for 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 Certification by End of 2025

Boeing is working hard to get its 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 airplanes certified by the end of 2025. This effort comes after years of delays, technical problems, and strict government oversight. CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed in a recent interview that Boeing is focused on fixing the last big technical issue—the engine anti-icing system—so the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can approve these planes for commercial use. This certification is important for airlines, passengers, and the entire aviation industry, as it will affect how airlines plan their fleets and how Boeing competes with other airplane makers.

What’s Happening Now: The Latest on Certification

As of late May 2025, neither the 737 MAX 7 nor the 737 MAX 10 has received certification from the FAA. Boeing and the FAA are in the final stages of the process, with the main focus on the engine anti-icing system. This system keeps ice from building up on the engines during flight, which is critical for safety. Problems with this system have caused repeated delays, and Boeing had to withdraw a request for a temporary exemption in January 2024. Instead, the company is now working on a permanent fix, which is required for certification.

The FAA, led by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, is keeping a close watch on Boeing. After a serious incident with an Alaska Airlines plane, the FAA set a production cap, limiting Boeing to making no more than 38 MAX airplanes per month. This cap will stay in place until Boeing can show it has improved quality and safety.

Key Numbers and Stakeholders

• Certification Target: End of 2025 for both MAX 7 and MAX 10
• Order Backlog: About 1,200 orders for the MAX 10 and 332 for the MAX 7
• Production Cap: 38 aircraft per month, set by the FAA
• Major Customers: United Airlines (MAX 10), Southwest Airlines (MAX 7), Alaska Airlines (MAX 10)
• Expected Deliveries: United Airlines does not expect the MAX 10 before 2027; Alaska Airlines expects the MAX 10 in mid-2026 at the earliest

Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has said he is optimistic that the company will solve the remaining technical problems and get approval by the end of 2025. However, airlines like United and Alaska have already changed their plans, expecting more delays before they receive their new planes.

Why Certification Matters: Impact on Airlines, Boeing, and the Industry

For Airlines:
The delays in certification have forced airlines to change their delivery schedules. This means they might have to keep using older planes longer or find other ways to meet passenger demand. For example, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have both adjusted their fleet plans because they do not expect to receive the MAX 10 soon. This can lead to higher costs, possible shortages of seats, and less flexibility in scheduling flights.

For Boeing:
Not being able to deliver the MAX 7 and MAX 10 hurts Boeing’s revenue and makes it harder to compete with Airbus, especially the popular A321neo. Boeing also faces pressure to manage its production lines carefully because of the FAA’s cap. Every delay means Boeing risks losing customers to competitors and falling further behind in the market.

For the Industry:
The long certification process shows how much more careful regulators have become after the two deadly MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. The FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) now demand more transparency and direct oversight. This sets a new standard for how future airplanes will be certified, making safety the top priority.

Step-by-Step: How the Certification Process Works

1. Engineering Solution:
   Boeing must finish and prove that its new engine anti-icing system works. This system is designed to stop ice from forming on the engines, which can be dangerous. Both the FAA and EASA have raised concerns about this system, so Boeing’s engineers are working closely with them to make sure all problems are fixed.

2. Testing Phase:
   After the engineering work is done, Boeing and the FAA run a series of ground and flight tests. These tests check how the new system works in real-life situations. FAA and Boeing pilots fly the planes, looking for any problems.

3. Data Review:
   The FAA reviews all the test results, making sure the planes meet strict safety standards. If they find anything unusual or unsafe, Boeing must fix it before moving forward.

4. Regulatory Approval:
   Once the FAA is satisfied, it can approve the design changes and training programs for pilots. EASA and other global regulators may also need to approve the changes before the planes can fly in their countries.

5. Production and Delivery:
   After certification, Boeing can start delivering the MAX 7 and MAX 10 to airlines. However, the company must still follow the FAA’s production cap and prove it can keep up high quality and safety standards.

Background: Why the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 Are Still Waiting

The 737 MAX family was first certified in 2017. But after two tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019, all MAX planes were grounded worldwide. Investigations found problems with the flight control system, leading to a complete review of the plane’s design and pilot training. The MAX 8 and MAX 9 were cleared to fly again in late 2020 after major changes, but the MAX 7 and MAX 10 have faced extra hurdles.

The main reason for the delay is the engine anti-icing system. Regulators want to make sure this system works perfectly, especially after the Alaska Airlines incident where a door plug blew out mid-flight. Because of these events, the FAA and EASA have made their certification process much stricter, requiring more checks and independent reviews.

What’s at Stake: The View from Airlines, Boeing, and Regulators

Airlines:
United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are two of the biggest customers waiting for the MAX 10. Both have said they do not expect to get their planes soon and have changed their plans to use other aircraft in the meantime. Southwest Airlines is the main customer for the MAX 7 and is also waiting for certification before it can add these planes to its fleet.

Boeing:
Boeing has nearly 1,200 orders for the MAX 10 and 332 for the MAX 7. Every month of delay means lost revenue and a risk that airlines might cancel their orders or switch to Airbus. Boeing’s leadership is under pressure to fix the problems quickly but safely.

Regulators:
The FAA, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, is determined to keep safety as the top priority. The agency has not lifted the production cap and continues to monitor Boeing closely. EASA, the European regulator, has set its own conditions for recertification, including independent design reviews and better pilot training.

Industry Analysis: What Experts Are Saying

Industry experts point out that the delays have allowed Airbus to gain more market share, especially with its A321neo. Boeing’s troubles have made airlines more cautious about placing new orders, and some have even switched to Airbus. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the long certification process is a sign that regulators are not willing to take any chances after the MAX crashes.

Experts also note that the FAA and EASA are working more independently now, each setting their own rules and checks. This means Boeing must satisfy not just one, but several regulators before its planes can fly worldwide.

Policy Changes and Their Effects

After the Alaska Airlines incident, Boeing withdrew its request for a temporary exemption for the anti-icing system. Instead, the company is now working on a permanent fix, which is required for certification. The FAA’s production cap of 38 planes per month is another big change, forcing Boeing to focus on quality over quantity.

Secretary Sean Duffy, who became Secretary of Transportation in January 2025, has met with Boeing’s leadership to make sure the company understands the new expectations. The FAA’s strict oversight is likely to continue, even after certification, to make sure Boeing keeps up its quality and safety standards.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Boeing and the 737 MAX

Boeing hopes to finish the engineering work on the anti-icing system well before the end of 2025, followed by certification testing. If all goes well, the FAA could approve the MAX 7 and MAX 10 by the end of the year. However, airlines are preparing for more delays, just in case.

Once certified, Boeing plans to increase production, but the FAA’s cap will stay in place until the company can prove it has fixed its quality problems. Deliveries to airlines like United and Alaska will begin as soon as possible, but some customers may not get their planes until 2026 or even 2027.

The successful certification and delivery of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 are critical for Boeing. The company needs to fill its large order backlog and regain lost market share from Airbus. The outcome will also shape how future airplanes are certified, with more focus on safety and transparency.

Summary Table: Boeing 737 MAX 7 & MAX 10 Certification Status (as of May 29, 2025)

Practical Guidance for Stakeholders

• Airlines: Should continue to plan for possible delays and consider backup options for fleet growth.
• Boeing: Needs to focus on quality improvements and clear communication with regulators and customers.
• Regulators: Will likely keep strict oversight in place, even after certification, to ensure ongoing safety.
• Passengers: Can expect airlines to use a mix of older and newer planes until the MAX 7 and MAX 10 are delivered.

Where to Find Official Updates

For the latest information on the Boeing 737 MAX certification process, readers can visit the FAA’s official newsroom, which provides updates on certification status and airworthiness directives. Boeing also shares press releases and updates on its own website.

In Conclusion

Boeing is making a strong effort to certify the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 by the end of 2025, with the engine anti-icing system as the last major technical challenge. The process is under close watch by the FAA and other regulators, and while Boeing’s leadership remains hopeful, airlines and industry experts are preparing for more delays. The outcome will have a big impact on Boeing’s future, airline fleet planning, and the standards for airplane certification worldwide.

For more in-depth analysis and updates on the Boeing 737 MAX certification, VisaVerge.com reports that the industry is watching closely, as the results will shape not only Boeing’s future but also the way new airplanes are approved for years to come.

Learn Today

Certification → Official approval by regulators confirming airplanes meet safety and design standards for commercial use.
Engine anti-icing system → Mechanism preventing ice buildup on aircraft engines to ensure safe flight operations.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → U.S. government agency regulating civil aviation safety and certifying aircraft.
Production cap → Limit set by FAA on how many airplanes Boeing can manufacture monthly during quality reviews.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) → European agency overseeing aviation safety and aircraft certification in Europe.

This Article in a Nutshell

Boeing pushes for 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification by end-2025 amid technical challenges. FAA focuses on engine anti-icing system to ensure safety. Airlines adjust fleet plans due to delays. Certification impacts Boeing’s market position and industry standards for safety and transparency worldwide.
— By VisaVerge.com