Alaska Airlines expects the Federal Aviation Administration to clear Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 by the end of September 2026, and the carrier plans to begin flying the stretched narrowbody with passengers in the spring of 2027, the airline said.
Timeline and fleet plans
Chief Operating Officer Jason Berry told Reuters the airline anticipates its first MAX 10 delivery in spring 2027, with a service introduction between April and mid-May. Boeing has told investors and customers in recent company updates that regulatory approval for the MAX 10 is approaching; CEO Kelly Ortberg said certification was expected "very soon" in a Sept. 16 statement from the manufacturer.
The MAX 10 is the largest variant in Boeing’s 737 family. Alaska’s January 2026 aircraft order — the largest in the carrier’s history — included 105 MAX 10s and five 787s, with options for 35 more MAX 10s and deliveries scheduled through 2035. The airline has said it will use the larger narrowbody both to expand service and to retire older 737s.
- Alaska expects first MAX 10 delivery: spring 2027
- Projected service debut: April–mid-May 2027
- Aircraft ordered in January 2026: 105 MAX 10s + 5 787s (options for 35 additional MAX 10s)
What this means for Alaska
For passengers and airports across the state, the MAX 10 could change capacity on higher-demand routes. Boeing lists a maximum capacity of 230 passengers for the MAX 10, although airlines configure cabins differently. Alaska Airlines already operates MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft; adding the larger MAX 10 would let the carrier consolidate some busier flights onto a single larger airframe and gradually replace older 737 models.
The MAX 10’s certification process has taken longer than Boeing and carriers originally expected — more than five years after the airplane's first flight in June 2021 — and that delay has pushed back delivery calendars. When Alaska placed its large order in January, the airline noted it retained flexibility to convert those MAX 10 commitments to other 737 variants if certification or delivery timing made that necessary.
"[Certification is] very soon," Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a Sept. 16 company update.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Model | 737 MAX 10 |
| Alaska order (Jan 2026) | 105 MAX 10s, 5 787s (options for 35 MAX 10s) |
| Expected FAA certification | End of September 2026 |
| Planned first delivery | Spring 2027 |
| Planned service debut | April–mid-May 2027 |
The arrival of the MAX 10 will be closely watched by state and regional officials, airport operators and tourism partners. Larger narrowbodies can boost seat availability on peak routes, influence slot and gate planning at busier airports, and change maintenance and training needs for carriers operating mixed 737 fleets.
Alaska Airlines’ update follows months of regulatory review and industry attention around the MAX family. The company’s public statements and Boeing’s investor communications signal both sides expect a near-term resolution that would allow airlines to begin implementing long-term fleet strategies that hinge on the MAX 10’s availability.
— Nora Kallio
