FAA Clears Boeing's New 737 MAX 7 Airplane For Commercial Service

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has granted Boeing an amended type certificate for the 737 MAX 7, clearing the aircraft for commercial service. The approval comes after nearly a decade-long delay, following intensified regulatory scrutiny after the 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. The FAA also updated Boeing Production Certificate No. 700 (PC 700) to add the MAX 7. Market-wise, the 737 MAX 7 is described as the smallest and longest-range member of the MAX family, targeting 135 to 160 seats in a two-class layout. Boeing and Southwest Airlines, the launch customer, are preparing for delivery of the first aircraft after a test program that began in 2018 and included more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing.