WASHINGTON — The US Federal Aviation Administration has granted an amended type certificate for the Boeing 737 MAX 7, clearing the aircraft for commercial service after a certification journey that began in 2018.
Boeing announced the approval on its verified X account, describing it as a milestone that validates the rigour of the design and testing. The certification included more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing under FAA oversight.
The 737 MAX 7 is the smallest and longest-range variant in the MAX family, accommodating 135 to 160 passengers with a range of up to 3,800 nautical miles. Boeing says it consumes 20 per cent less fuel and produces 20 per cent fewer emissions than older-generation aircraft.
Boeing and Southwest Airlines are now preparing for the first delivery. The MAX family has accumulated over 7,200 orders worldwide, with Boeing continuing to work towards certifying the larger MAX 10 later this year.