Federal regulators are expected to certify Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 by the end of July 2026, marking a major milestone for the smallest variant of the MAX family after years of delays that pushed the aircraft’s original 2022 entry-into-service target into 2027.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the FAA plans to sign off on the aircraft later this month, ending one of the longest certification processes in commercial aviation. The 737 MAX 7 was originally scheduled to enter service in 2022 but faced a series of technical and regulatory hurdles that extended the timeline by four years.
The primary cause of the delay has been an engine anti-ice system issue that required Boeing to redesign and test a solution to the FAA’s satisfaction. As of May 2026, Boeing had completed roughly 80% of required flight testing, with CEO Kelly Ortberg stating there was finally “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Even with FAA certification, the aircraft will not immediately enter passenger service. Southwest Airlines, which holds approximately 90% of all MAX 7 orders—around 256 aircraft—has stated it does not expect to put the jet into revenue service until the first quarter of 2027. The carrier has been forced to keep its aging 737-700 fleet flying longer than planned while awaiting the new aircraft.
The MAX 7 certification is expected to be followed by approval of the larger MAX 10 before the end of 2026. Both variants have faced similar technical scrutiny from regulators in the United States and Europe. The MAX program as a whole has drawn heightened FAA oversight since the 737 MAX 8 was grounded in 2019 following two fatal crashes, though those incidents did not directly involve the MAX 7 or MAX 10 variants.
Boeing has more than 4,850 unfilled 737 MAX orders worldwide, reflecting continued airline demand for the fuel-efficient aircraft despite the certification delays and regulatory challenges that have marked the program’s recent history.
Sources
- Simple Flying — confirmed FAA expected to certify MAX 7 by month’s end, citing The Wall Street Journal
- Reuters — FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford statement on MAX 7 summer 2026 certification target and MAX 10 approval before year-end
- FlightGlobal — Southwest’s MAX 7 order count (256 aircraft) and early 2027 entry-into-service plan
- Yahoo Finance — engine anti-ice system delays and Boeing’s 80% flight test completion status
- The Air Current — engine anti-ice system safety concerns and redesign work
