Largest 737 MAX aircraft receives certification. Photo: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock.com The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeing an amended type certificate for the new 737-7, officially clearing the aircraft for commercial service after a lengthy certification process.
The approval marks a significant milestone for Boeing's smallest and longest-range member of the 737 MAX family, paving the way for deliveries to launch customer Southwest Airlines.
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The Federal Aviation Administration has certified the 737-7!
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) August 3, 2026
This milestone for the longest-range 737 MAX validates the rigor of the design and testing and recognizes #TeamBoeing's determination and resilience.
Certification includes more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground… pic.twitter.com/0S45IjqL3u
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the certification validates the aircraft's design and the work of the 737 MAX development team.
The certification follows years of testing and regulatory review. Boeing said the program included more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing, extensive system safety analysis, human factors reviews, and updates to the aircraft's engine anti-ice system after a condition identified during flight testing.
According to Boeing, the experience gained during the certification process has also helped the company better understand the latest regulatory requirements, with an increased emphasis on safety, quality, and human factors in future aircraft development.
Designed to seat between 135 and 160 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, the 737-7 offers a range of up to 3,800 nautical miles (7,040 km), making it the longest-range aircraft in the 737 MAX family. Boeing says the model is particularly suited for airlines operating from high-altitude airports and hot-weather destinations.
Compared with the aircraft it is intended to replace, the 737-7 reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by around 20% while cutting its noise footprint by 50%, according to the manufacturer.
The FAA also updated Boeing's Production Certificate No. 700 to include the 737-7, allowing the company to begin production and deliveries under the approved certification.
Boeing and Southwest Airlines are now preparing the first aircraft for delivery, including final configuration updates before entering commercial service.
The certification comes as Boeing continues work on the remaining member of the MAX family, the 737-10, which the company still expects to certify later this year.
As of the end of June 2026, Boeing's 737 MAX family had accumulated more than 7,200 orders worldwide, with over 2,300 aircraft already delivered.