The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeing [NYSE: BA] an amended type certificate for the 737-7, clearing the newest and smallest member of the 737 MAX family for commercial service. The certification follows a multi-year development and testing programme in which Boeing demonstrated that the aircraft meets applicable U.S. commercial aviation safety and certification requirements.
“This important certification validates the rigor of our airplane’s design and recognises the determination and resilience of our 737 MAX development team,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our team of dedicated engineers and test experts worked through challenges, an extended pandemic and the transition to new certification processes. Through it all, our team stayed focused on completing all requirements and delivering a safe and more capable airplane to our customers,” Mr Pope added.
The 737-7 is designed to serve the smaller-capacity segment of the single-aisle market while offering the longest range among the 737 MAX variants. The aircraft typically accommodates 135 to 160 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of up to 3,800 nautical miles (7,040 km). Its performance is suited to operations from airports in high-altitude and hot-weather environments.
The certification programme began in 2018 and included more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing, extensive system safety assessments and human factors reviews. Boeing also incorporated an updated engine anti-ice system following the identification of a potential condition during flight testing.
“Boeing maintained regular and detailed discussions with the FAA throughout the certification process to ensure we understood the requirements and provided transparency on our progress,” said Mike Sinnett, senior vice president of Product Strategy, Product Development and Development Programs at Boeing. “The programme has strengthened our understanding of current regulatory requirements and is expected to support future aircraft development, with continued emphasis on human factors, safety and quality.”
Southwest Airlines, the launch customer for the 737-7, and Boeing are preparing for the first aircraft delivery. Teams are completing final configuration updates on the initial aircraft. The FAA has also amended Boeing Production Certificate No. 700 (PC 700) to include the 737-7.
The 737 MAX family has an order book exceeding 7,200 aircraft, with more than 2,300 delivered through June 2026. The family also includes the 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10, offering different seating and range combinations for short- and medium-haul operations.
Boeing is a global aerospace company that develops, manufactures and services commercial aircraft, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Its operations are supported by a global workforce and supplier network, with a focus on safety, quality and integrity.
