The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737 MAX 7, clearing the smallest member of the MAX family for commercial service after a certification campaign that stretched well beyond the aircraft's original schedule.
The amended type certificate, issued on Aug. 3, allows Boeing to begin deliveries following final production preparations. Southwest Airlines, the launch customer for the type, is expected to receive the first aircraft.
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Certification of the MAX 7 was delayed by several years as Boeing worked through regulatory changes introduced after the two fatal 737 MAX accidents, along with technical issues that required design updates, including modifications to the engine anti-ice system.
The MAX 7 is the smallest and longest-range member of the 737 MAX family. Boeing says the aircraft typically seats between 135 and 160 passengers in a two-class layout and can fly up to 3,800 nm (7,040 km).
According to Boeing, the MAX 7 has accumulated 282 firm orders. The aircraft is expected to replace older Boeing 737 Next Generation models on routes where airlines require lower capacity without sacrificing range.
The certification leaves the 737 MAX 10 as the only remaining variant awaiting FAA approval. Boeing recently completed the aircraft's planned certification flight-test campaign and continues to target certification later this year.
