October 21, 2026 — The FAA certified the Boeing 737 MAX 10 on Tuesday, October 20, clearing the way for deliveries. WestJet will be the first airline to get one, with its first aircraft expected in spring 2027.
What happened
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA announced the approval on the afternoon of October 20, 2026. The FAA issued an amended type certificate and updated production approval. The MAX 10 is the largest and last member of the 737 MAX family to be certified; the MAX 7 was approved in August.
Certification testing included an updated engine anti-ice system that fixes a risk of overheating in certain conditions. Flightradar24 reports that the fix will be applied across the MAX fleet through new production and retrofits. The MAX 10 was originally expected to enter service in 2020 or 2021.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certified | October 20, 2026 |
| Launch customer | WestJet |
| WestJet first delivery | Spring 2027 (per lessor Aviation Capital Group, as reported by Open Jaw) |
| Seats | 199, versus 132 on WestJet’s 737-700 |
| Number ordered by WestJet | Not stated in the reports reviewed (TBA) |
| Other customers | United, Delta, American, Alaska and Ryanair |
WestJet’s plans
WestJet says the MAX 10 is “set to become the flagship aircraft of our narrowbody fleet.” It plans to use the jet on winter sun routes to Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. The MAX 10s will replace WestJet’s 737-700s, which have been sold. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the -700s will leave within one or two years, depending on conditions, with high fuel prices speeding up their exit because they are the least fuel-efficient aircraft in the fleet.
What it means for non-revs
- Bigger planes on sun routes: swapping a 132-seat 737-700 for a 199-seat MAX 10 adds 67 seats per flight. Once the MAX 10 is flying, that could help standby chances on busy WestJet winter routes to Mexico and the Caribbean, though the first aircraft is not due until spring 2027.
- Nothing changes this winter. The 737-700 stays in service for now, so plan this season’s WestJet trips on today’s schedule and loads.
- United, Delta, American, Alaska and Ryanair employees: certification means your airlines’ MAX 10 deliveries can start too, with aircraft expected to enter service in early 2027. More seats per departure is generally good news for standby travel.
Sources
- Open Jaw — “It’s a Win-Win”: Certified 737 MAX 10 Clears Runway for WestJet Expansion
- AirlineGeeks — FAA Certifies 737 MAX 10
- Flightradar24 — Boeing 737-10 MAX receives FAA certification
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