The Boeing 737 MAX 7 and the 737 MAX 10 are both still waiting on certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the agency is now pushing back on the idea that regulators are the holdup. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that the FAA has devoted a significant amount of resources to the two programs and that the agency is not the roadblock to overall approval.

The administrator has been quick to stress that Boeing still must complete the remaining work to ensure approval. This message lands as airlines keep ordering the Boeing 737 MAX 10 and build out their schedules around a jet that remains fully uncertified, all while Boeing tries to steady MAX production and restore confidence after years upon years of delays. Both variants are delayed by a lingering de-icing issue.

Pointing Blame Squarely At Boeing

On January 21, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that the agency is not currently blocking certification of the MAX 7 and the MAX 10, arguing that Boeing still needs to finish its work. Earlier in January, the FAA approved the MAX 10 to move into Phase Two of its certification flight-testing campaign, according to a source familiar with the program cited by Reuters. This move was big news for Boeing, which is undoubtedly interested in getting this jet into the skies as soon as possible.

Reuters also noted that the FAA had cleared Boeing in October to raise 737 MAX output to 42 jets per month, a figure which improved upon a 38-per-month that had previously been imposed on the manufacturer after the Alaska Airlines door-plug incident, which brought heightened scrutiny to the development program. Boeing is preparing an Everett, Washington, assembly line for the MAX 10. Alaska Airlines’ order for 105 MAX 10s also helped highlight increased airline confidence in the model for the carrier’s 2026 timeline. Boeing has continued to reiterate its expectation that both variants will be certified in 2026.

Where Does The Boeing 737 MAX 7 & MAX 10 Certification Process Stand?

The certification picture is undeniably uneven. While the Boeing 737 MAX 10’s process appears to be moving forward, the MAX 7 remains waiting in the wings. The FAA has elected to clear the MAX 10 to enter the second phase of flight testing under its certification campaign, where testing focuses on major systems. This includes testing on avionics, propulsion, and other design elements.

However, this approval did not apply to the Boeing 737 MAX 7. Both variants remain held back primarily by an unresolved engine de-icing issue that Boeing has yet to close out to the FAA’s satisfaction. Until this technical fix is at least somewhat validated, and the remaining test points, paperwork, and FAA reviews are completed, the process will not push forward.

Boeing still can not begin delivering jets to customers who have been waiting for the type for years. Analysts have continued to note that the longer the program takes, the more challenging it becomes to resolve. Furthermore, Boeing’s credibility only continues to decline.

What Does All Of This Mean For Boeing From A Financial Perspective?

For Boeing, 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 delays are a direct cash-flow problem, as one cannot collect payment on aircraft that are not ready for delivery. Boeing has more than 1,200 MAX 10 orders outstanding, and analysts see first deliveries as important to lifting revenue and cash generation, especially because the MAX 10 is the company’s answer to the best-selling Airbus A321neo.

Each progressive slip continues to risk additional customer frustration while reshuffling fleet plans. Alaska’s CFO indicated that if certification slips another six months, the carrier would begin to convert some of its 737 MAX 10 orders to MAX 9s or 8s. Operationally, uncertainty keeps costs high, all while delaying production ramp decisions.

The FAA’s earlier decision to allow 42 MAXs per month gives Boeing more delivery capacity once certification finally lands for the type. Until certification clears, Boeing and the future of its flagship narrowbody program, unfortunately, remain in limbo.