Key Takeaways
• United Airlines won’t receive Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets until at least 2027, possibly 2028, due to certification delays.
• The FAA must certify the MAX 7 before reviewing the MAX 10, causing industry-wide delivery bottlenecks.
• United prioritizes the certified Boeing 737 MAX 9, allowing flexible order adjustments based on future certification progress.
United Airlines Faces Delays for Boeing 737 MAX 10: Uncertainty Around 2027 or 2028 Delivery
United Airlines is grappling with a major delay in the arrival of the Boeing 737 MAX 10, a situation tied closely to ongoing certification and production challenges. As of May 2025, leaders at United Airlines have made it clear that they don’t foresee taking delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 before 2027—and it could even take until 2028. This prolonged wait for the new jets goes beyond company planning; it mirrors a broader set of problems currently facing both Boeing and the aviation industry.
Let’s break down exactly what’s causing these delays, how United Airlines is coping, what this could mean for the company’s plans, and how wider industry trends play into this uncertainty.
Why the Delay? FAA Certification and Supply Chain Issues
The Federal Aviation Administration, known as the FAA, is responsible for making sure new airplanes are safe to fly by going through a process called “type certification.” This means that before any airline, including United Airlines, can start flying a new model like the Boeing 737 MAX 10, the FAA must fully sign off that the plane is ready for commercial use.
Right now, the FAA hasn’t finished this certification process for the MAX 10. In fact, even the smaller version, known as the MAX 7, is still waiting for final approval. This is important because the FAA’s policy is to finish with the MAX 7 before moving on to certify the larger MAX 10.
This creates a sort of traffic jam, or “bottleneck.” Even if all other parts of Boeing’s operation were running smoothly—which they are not—United Airlines and others simply cannot take ownership of the MAX 10 planes until the FAA says it is safe and ready.
On top of regulatory hurdles, Boeing continues to deal with problems in its production and supply chains. The phrase “supply chain” refers to all the steps and companies involved in building a plane: from making engines to delivering small parts, and finally putting the whole jet together. Over the past few years, these chains have faced repeated shocks, often due to trouble sourcing parts or making sure parts arrive on time. With parts delayed or missing, Boeing cannot complete planes, and this pushes deliveries back even further.
The bottom line: United Airlines has to wait for the FAA to certify the 737 MAX 10, and Boeing must also deal with ongoing production hiccups. Even after certification, it may still take time before planes can actually be delivered.
How United Airlines Is Adapting Its Fleet Plans
Given this uncertain situation, United Airlines is making smart but tough decisions about fleet planning. When faced with such unpredictability about when—or even if—the Boeing 737 MAX 10 will enter its lineup, United Airlines is not simply waiting around.
Instead, the airline has shifted its focus to the Boeing 737 MAX 9, a slightly smaller version that is already certified and being delivered. According to Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella, the company wants to prioritize aircraft that can be counted on to arrive. Nocella put it simply: “Until we know the MAX 10 is going to be delivered, we don’t want to have an aircraft that doesn’t arrive.” This shows a practical approach. Why build routes or schedules around planes that may not be available for years?
At the same time, United Airlines has made it clear that it still wants to add the MAX 10 to its fleet one day. The plan now is to keep some orders flexible—if progress with the FAA speeds up in the coming years, United Airlines might switch some of its current MAX 9 orders back to MAX 10 orders later.
However, United Airlines does not expect to be first in line to get the MAX 10 when—if—the time comes. Instead, the priority is on getting planes they can actually use and building flexibility into their long-term planning.
Wider Industry Effects: Not Just a United Airlines Problem
United Airlines isn’t the only airline affected by the FAA certification slowdown and Boeing’s supply chain troubles. Other companies, such as Alaska Airlines, are preparing for similar delays, making adjustments to their own plans. In fact, any U.S.-based airline hoping to add new Boeing 737 MAX models to their fleet must now accept that the timeline stretches far into the future.
This drawn-out approval process by the FAA creates major headaches for all airlines. Airlines want to plan their fleets several years in advance. Not knowing exactly when they will have new planes makes it tough to commit to new routes, adjust seating capacity, or even decide which jets are the right size for their business needs.
Boeing’s reputation and reliability as a supplier are also being put to the test. If these problems continue, some airlines might look at other manufacturers or think twice before making huge orders for new aircraft. This ripple effect highlights how regulatory delays and production problems don’t just impact one airline—they can shift the whole industry’s plans.
What Is the Certification Process and Why Does It Take Time?
It may help to briefly explain what’s involved in certifying a new plane, especially for readers unfamiliar with how the FAA works. The Federal Aviation Administration checks everything from the plane’s design, materials, and engine performance, to its safety features and how it handles emergency situations. There are ground tests, computer simulations, checks on electronic systems, and flight tests.
The MAX 10 in particular is a larger plane compared to its MAX 8 and MAX 9 relatives, so it requires extra work to make sure everything is safe. The FAA is especially careful after earlier incidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX series—these events led to a worldwide grounding of the plane type for a long period.
Every step costs time. The FAA has said it won’t rush these processes. This is meant to make flying safer for everyone, but it does mean that airlines must be patient.
Summary Table: United’s Boeing 737 MAX Orders and Certification Status
Here is an overview of where things stand with United Airlines’ two main Boeing 737 MAX orders:
| Aircraft Model | FAA Certification Status | Estimated United Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737 MAX 9 | Certified/Delivering | Ongoing (currently arriving) |
| Boeing 737 MAX 10 | Not Certified | Maybe by late 2027 to 2028 |
As we see, the MAX 9 is already in service, but the MAX 10 remains in limbo.
Supply Chain: Another Source of Delay
Even after the FAA gives its green light, Boeing faces further trouble from supply chain issues. Jet engines and critical parts must be delivered on time for assembly. If a major component is delayed, so is the final delivery.
Boeing has been honest about these struggles. It takes many companies all working together to build a modern jet. Supply chains across the aviation industry have been hit by labor shortages, rising costs, and backups at various factories. Each delay can back up the whole process, much like a traffic jam.
United Airlines cannot do much about these problems except wait, plan with the available information, and react to changes as they happen.
Order Adjustments and Future Scenarios
United Airlines is adjusting its plans as best as it can. If the FAA finally certifies the MAX 10 by 2027 or 2028, United could reconvert some MAX 9 orders back into MAX 10s. Such flexibility is key in a business where timing matters and jets are expensive.
On the other hand, if delays grow longer or further problems arise, United Airlines might need to change its strategy. This could include looking at other aircraft types or possibly adjusting its entire fleet plan to avoid being left without enough planes for its routes.
For now, the focus remains on planes that are actually available and can be flown in the short term.
Long-Term Impacts: How Will This Affect Passengers and Employees?
Delays like this can trickle down to many different people—not just airline executives in charge of planning. For travelers, the immediate effects are hard to notice; United Airlines is still flying plenty of planes, just not the newest model yet. Over time, though, these kinds of setbacks can make it harder for airlines to expand or launch new routes. Fewer available jets means fewer seats, making it tougher to add flights on popular routes or try new destinations.
For those looking to work with United Airlines—as pilots, flight attendants, maintenance staff, or ground crew—the size and mix of the airline’s fleet directly affects hiring needs and schedules. Airlines prefer to have a healthy, modern fleet so they can train staff on current models and offer more opportunities.
By building flexibility into its strategy, United Airlines is working to keep both customer and staff experience steady during uncertain times.
What Should Passengers and Partners Take Away From All This?
The story of United Airlines and the delayed Boeing 737 MAX 10 is a case study in how complicated the aviation business can be. It highlights several important points:
- The certification process by the Federal Aviation Administration is thorough and can be slow, especially after past safety concerns.
- Even large airlines with many resources, like United Airlines, must react and adapt when suppliers and regulators hit roadblocks.
- Production and supply chain problems can snowball into year-long delays.
- Airlines must build flexibility into their plans, knowing that original schedules for new aircraft often move.
Anyone following airline news, booking future flights, or working in the industry can learn from United Airlines’ experience: planning for the unexpected is now a requirement, not just a good idea.
Conclusion: Waiting Game Until at Least 2027, Maybe 2028
As it stands, United Airlines will not receive any Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets before 2027, and 2028 remains a possibility if further issues arise. All sides—United Airlines, Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration—know that steady progress is needed to avoid further slowdowns, but patience is the current order of the day.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that anyone with a stake in air travel should keep an eye on these regulatory and supply chain updates, as they shape both the airline industry’s future and the experience of everyday aviation customers.
For more detailed updates about the 737 MAX 10 certification timeline and safety requirements, the official FAA page about aircraft certification offers current and reliable information straight from the source.
As this story continues, United Airlines and other carriers will need to weigh every option, respond quickly to further changes, and stay focused on serving passengers with the aircraft they already have. And until the Boeing 737 MAX 10 is officially approved and ready for delivery, the uncertainty remains a reality for all involved.
Learn Today
Type Certification → Official approval by aviation authorities (like the FAA) confirming an aircraft model meets all safety and regulatory requirements before commercial use.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and certifying civil aviation, ensuring aircraft safety and compliance.
Supply Chain → The network of companies and processes involved in producing, sourcing, and delivering all components required to assemble an aircraft.
Bottleneck → A point of congestion or delay, here referring to the regulatory or production process slowing aircraft deliveries.
Fleet Planning → The strategic process airlines use to select, order, and manage aircraft to meet business and operational needs.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines faces significant delays in receiving Boeing 737 MAX 10s, with new delivery timelines possibly pushed to 2028. Certification backlogs and supply chain issues compound the problem. United adapts by focusing on certified MAX 9 jets and flexible fleet planning, reflecting wider challenges across the aviation industry in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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