Here's Exactly What's Left Before Boeing's 777-9 & 737 MAX 10 Enter Service In 2027

Published Aug 30, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Daniel comes to Simple Flying with a business focused approach to the aviation world. Daniel enjoys analyzing strategy and how companies move against each other to gain a step ahead in the skies. Besides strategy, Daniel also has a passion for aircraft design and the history of aviation. Based in New York After years in certification hell, Boeing's three latest aircraft are finally about to enter service. The 737 MAX 7 has officially been certified for commercial service, while the 737 MAX 10 and 777-9 are expected to follow shortly. The MAX 7's certification is important for Southwest Airlines, the variant's primary customer, as well as for Boeing, because it's the first new Boeing aircraft certified in years. However, the 737 MAX 10 and the 777-9 are the truly important aircraft, given their relative popularity. The 737 MAX 10 has received over 1,400 orders, while the 777-9 has received over 500 orders. They're two of Boeing's most crucial products, yet both have been delayed significantly from their original entry into service. Now that the MAX 7 is certified, Boeing is focusing on the MAX 10 and the 777-9, with the 737 MAX 10 set to debut first. Boeing has made major progress certifying its two newest aircraft, and both hit some of their latest milestones on the same day. The Certification Timeline For The Next Boeing Jets Credit: Shutterstock Both the 737 MAX 10 and the 777-9 were meant to enter service in 2020, but these timelines have been pushed back to 2027. The 737 MAX 10 is currently being prioritized over the 777-9, although certifying the MAX 7 variant has allowed Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to devote more resources to the 777-9's certification. Certification flights for the 737 MAX 10 concluded on July 28, the same date as the 737 MAX 7, and the variant is expected to be certified as soon as this fall. The 777-9 is more than halfway through its certification flight testing, having logged over 1,700 flights and over 4,800 flight hours. The two types are fairly close in their certification progress, and even recently completed critical testing in heavy icing conditions on the same day. The 777-9 was in the air for over eight and a half hours on that day, while the 737 MAX 10 was airborne for roughly six hours. The two aircraft have generally been moving swiftly through certification recently, and it appears Boeing's most recent timelines will hold. Testing has been proceeding quite smoothly for the MAX 10 and 777-9 in recent months. Both types are slated to enter service in 2027, and the 777-9 may be certified either late in 2026 or in early 2027. The 737 MAX 10, likely to be certified within the next few months, will be coming first because it's simply further along in the certification process than the giant 777-9. This is the primary reason why the 737 variants were prioritized over the 777-9. Still, the end of the road is in sight for both programs. Where The 737 MAX 10 Stands Credit: Shutterstock The 737 MAX 10 had completed nearly 1,000 certification flights and over 2,000 flight hours by the time certification flights had concluded. Now, the program is working on Development Assurance Reviews (DARs) and system safety assessments. The 737 MAX 10 isn't actually a major program for the FAA because the agency has already certified the 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9. The MAX family as a whole was a major departure from prior 737 models, but the FAA approved these changes years ago. The 737 MAX 10 is simply a longer version of the previously certified 737 MAX 8 and 9 variants, but the main issue with the newer MAX variants is the anti-ice systems. In 2023, it was found that the engine anti-ice system could damage the engine nacelle when used for prolonged periods of time in dry conditions. This required Boeing to develop new hardware and software to counter this effect. Boeing attempted to obtain a safety waiver from the FAA, but it was later withdrawn. Aircraft Certification Year Boeing 737 MAX 7 2026 Boeing 737 MAX 8 2017 Boeing 737 MAX 9 2018 Boeing 737 MAX 10 2026 (projected) Boeing had to develop a new engine anti-ice system for the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10, which was finally completed in November 2025. In addition, the FAA required Boeing to develop an updated crew alerting system for the MAX 7 and MAX 10. The MAX 7 was certified with these systems approved, and the MAX 10 will include them. Meanwhile, the FAA will require Boeing to introduce these new systems on the already certified MAX 8 and MAX 9 variants, and in-service aircraft will need to be retrofitted. Certification Of The 777-9 Credit: Shutterstock Unlike the 737 MAX 10, the 777-9 is the first variant being certified in its family. This means that the FAA is certifying the new wing, the new cockpit, the folding wingtips, the new engines, and more for the first time. Compared to the 737 MAX 10, the FAA is certifying much more new equipment for the first time, which has lengthened the 777-9 certification timeline. In addition, the FAA has generally increased oversight ever since the 737 MAX grounding. The 777-9 faced several setbacks and challenges earlier in development and certification, such as a cargo door blowing out and thrust-link issues. However, most of the problems have since been resolved. Instead, the FAA is primarily evaluating how the aircraft's design changes can impact overall safety. As such, it'll naturally take longer than for the 737 MAX 10, because there's a lot more 'new stuff' that needs to be certificated with the 777-9. The 777-9 is proceeding through Phase 4B of the FAA's Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) process and is also working on ETOPS certification. A seventh test plane recently began ETOPS test flights, and once certification flights are complete, the FAA will review the collected data. The 777-9 is expected to receive its type certificate either by late 2026 or early 2027, with airlines now expecting Boeing to start delivering 777-9s in the second quarter of 2027. Getting The 737 MAX 10 Out The Door Credit: Aviation Capital Group Fall is coming up soon, and the FAA is reviewing and assessing the aircraft now that certification flights have been completed. The aircraft is practically at the end of the line, and the program is unlikely to see any further delays. Airlines need to prepare for the new aircraft while Boeing also needs to prepare for regular deliveries of the MAX 10. This will presumably take a few months, and first deliveries should be coming around the end of the year. Meanwhile, launch operator WestJet expects to begin flying the MAX 10 in the first three months of 2027. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines all expect to begin taking delivery of their 737 MAX 10s in 2027. For some airlines, the MAX 10 will let them accelerate planned aircraft retirements while also enabling them to fully implement planned expansions. United, which has generally been expanding its domestic network, now also plans to retire 80 aircraft in 2027 and can do this while still growing because of the MAX 10 deliveries. The MAX 10 is crucial to Boeing because it's the manufacturer's first real competitor to the Airbus A321neo, the best-selling airliner on the market. Getting the plane certified and delivered to operators will increase its desirability with potential customers and improve sales performance. Meanwhile, it'll be the most economical 737 variant ever made, making it a tremendously important plane for the airlines that have ordered it. Finishing Up The 777-9 Credit: Shutterstock The 777-9 is still proceeding through certification and ETOPS flights, having completed more than 50% of the required flights. Once that is done, the FAA will review the aircraft's design and safety before granting certification. The 777-9 will be the last of the three latest Boeing models to be approved for civilian flights, with Lufthansa set to be the first passenger airline to operate the type. The airline expects to put the 777-9 into service during the 2027 summer season, although Boeing will face challenges even after the type is certified. Boeing has already built multiple 777-9s intended for customers, but the manufacturer has made several design changes to the jet. This means that the previously constructed examples need to be reworked, which is expensive and adds weight to the planes. Emirates and Lufthansa have already publicly declined to accept any reworked early-production 777-9s, which some are now referring to as the 'terrible teens'. Boeing 777-9 Customers Air India Ethiopian Airlines All Nippon Airways (ANA) Etihad Airways British Airways Korean Air Cathay Pacific Lufthansa China Airlines Qatar Airways Emirates Singapore Airlines The 777-9 serves as Boeing's largest and most capable aircraft, slotting above the A350 in the market. It's meant to serve as a flagship aircraft for its operators, most of which plan to install large premium cabins with first class and new seats. With the aircraft about to debut, airlines can begin fully implementing fleet renewal plans while upgrading their cabins.