FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 7 in win for planemaker

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted long-awaited approval on Monday for Boeing’s 737 Max 7, the smallest version of the planemaker’s best-selling narrowbody. The certification comes years behind schedule. Boeing had previously expected approval before the end of 2022, but the process ultimately extended after additional fixes and reviews. FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau had suggested last month that certification for the larger Max 10 was “right behind” the Max 7. Boeing has already built about 30 Max 7s and nine Max 10s awaiting delivery, according to Cirium, and the Max 10 makes up at least 28% of outstanding Max orders. The FAA tightened oversight after two fatal Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, and also increased scrutiny after a January 2024 mid-air cabin panel blowout involving a nearly new Alaska Airlines Max 9. Congress waived a 2022 deadline tied to cockpit alert rules.