Boeing is on track to obtain certification for its long-delayed Boeing 737 MAX 7 variant this summer, according to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. This progress will be welcome news to airlines awaiting delivery of their new MAX jets, particularly Southwest Airlines, which is set to be the launch customer of the MAX 7.

Speaking at an event in Washington this week, Bedford added that he expects the other remaining uncertified variant of the 737 MAX family — the MAX 10 — to clear the regulatory process before the end of 2026. Both aircraft models have spent years in certification limbo, primarily due to a required redesign of their engine anti-icing system.

Boeing 737 MAX 7 Likely Certified This Summer, Says FAA

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The 737 MAX family’s shortest variant is on course to achieve full certification this summer, bringing an end to years of regulatory purgatory. As per a Reuters report, Bedford laid out his expectations at the International Aviation Club on Wednesday, adding that he expects the larger MAX 10 to follow before the end of the year. This is in line with Boeing’s timeline laid out in its Q1 2026 results, with the company slating both variants for certification this year, although the first MAX 7 deliveries are still estimated for early 2027.

Launch customer Southwest Airlines has firm orders for almost 270 MAX 7s, making up around 90% of commitments for this variant. Although anticipating certification at some point in 2026, Southwest recently stated in its 2025 full-year report that it expects zero MAX 7 deliveries this year. The update comes as Bedford gave his approval for Boeing’s efforts to ramp up 737 MAX production — the planemaker plans to boost production from 42 to 47 aircraft per month before increasing to 52 monthly jets in early 2027, aided by the launch of a fourth 737 production line at its Everett facility, Bedford said,

“It’s important for the country that Boeing is successful.”

No More “Hiccups” With Remaining Tests

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Earlier this week, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said he was “pretty confident” that the MAX 7 and 10 would complete their final certification phase without any further hurdles, declaring a “light at the end of the tunnel” as both variants have completed more than 80% of required flight testing.

Initially scheduled to enter service in 2019, the two 737 MAX crashes and subsequent groundings severely delayed both variants before problems with their engine anti-icing system came to light, which regulators say could overheat and damage the inlet under certain conditions. Boeing has since finalized a redesign to ensure temperatures remain within acceptable limits, as well as other fixes to the aircraft, including modifying the engine Load Reduction Device (LRD) to prevent oil leaks.

There have been suggestions that Boeing has been more focused on the MAX 10’s certification, given that the stretched variant holds more than four times as many orders as the MAX 7. Boeing has logged approximately 1,400 orders for the MAX 10, including major commitments for the US’ three biggest carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — along with significant orders from airlines around the world, including Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair and VietJet.

The 737 MAX Is Selling Very Well

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Despite the ongoing certification issues and a litany of other problems impacting the 737 MAX program, airlines are still showing strong confidence in the narrowbody. Net orders for 737 MAX aircraft in 2026 were at 146 aircraft by May, including notable deals with Vietnam Airlines and Copa Airlines.

Having completed over 2,200 MAX deliveries since its debut in 2017, Boeing’s backlog for the 737 MAX stands at over 4,850 aircraft. MAX deliveries have also been picking up the pace, with over 150 deliveries so far in 2026, adding to 440 deliveries in 2025. Across its full commercial portfolio, Boeing has over 6,100 jets on order worth an estimated $695 billion, which includes the upcoming Boeing 777X, also slated for certification in 2026.