Ryanair said the Boeing 737 MAX 10 could finally achieve certification in the third quarter of 2026, paving the way for first deliveries of the aircraft to begin in spring 2027.
The forecast was mentioned by Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, in an interview with Reuters. According to him, Boeing is working to guarantee the model’s certification with the FAA in the third quarter of this year, in a more specific calendar than that officially released by the North American manufacturer itself.
So far, Boeing has avoided publicly commenting on the new estimate.
The 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 MAX family and can carry up to 230 passengers in a high-density configuration. The model is seen as an important piece for low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, which are betting on greater capacity per flight to increase operational efficiency.
The aircraft certification program, however, has been facing delays for years. In January 2026, Boeing had already signaled that the first deliveries could slip to 2027, but without detailing when regulatory approval would be obtained.
According to O’Leary, the program’s main technical obstacles — especially the certification of the engines and the anti-icing system — would practically be overcome. The executive also stated that Ryanair maintains close contact with Boeing and remains confident that the schedule will be met.
While awaiting final approval, Boeing is already preparing for the model’s entry into service. According to the company’s financial director, Jay Malave, the manufacturer intends to build 30 units of the 737 MAX 10 throughout 2026 to begin deliveries in 2027.
Furthermore, Boeing plans to increase production of the 737 MAX family to 47 aircraft per month by the end of 2026. Part of this increase should be absorbed by the new assembly line in Everett, reinforcing the company’s strategy of expanding industrial capacity.
The order book for the 737 MAX 10 already totals 1,404 aircraft, showing the strong demand for the jet even before its final certification. Ryanair remains its main customer and one of the companies most interested in accelerating the model’s entry into operation.
Second Michael O’Learythe final signature of the FAA it could just be a matter of weeks. Boeing has already started the final assembly of the first 30 aircraft of the 737 MAX 10 version, in anticipation of regulatory approval.
If confirmed within this period, certification will represent a decisive step towards the Boeingwhich seeks to stabilize the 737 MAX program and serve a long line of customers waiting for the family’s highest-capacity variant.
Source and images: Ryanair | Boeing. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
