The FAA on Monday approved the Boeing 737 Max 7 for commercial service after years of delays.
The Max 7 is the smallest variant in Boeing's 737 Max series, offering 135 to 160 seats in a two-class configuration. It is expected to be used for short-haul and medium-haul routes.
Southwest Airlines is slated to be the launch customer for the Max 7. On Monday, Southwest said it "looks forward to the plane entering service in the coming months. Certification is an important step toward continuing to modernize our all-Boeing 737 fleet with upgraded interiors and more fuel-efficient aircraft."
Southwest said it would take three to six months to ready the Max 7 for service after taking delivery. Boeing has about 30 of the Max 7 jets built, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Before granting approval for the Max 7, the FAA required updates to the flight-control software, flight crew alerting system and a redesigned engine anti-ice system.
Boeing has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny of Max aircraft since the late 2010s, after two fatal crashes of the Max 8 in 2018 (Lion Air) and 2019 (Ethiopian Air).
Investigators uncovered a faulty automated flight control system, plus communication and oversight failures.
In January 2024, a midair door plug blowout happened on a Max 9 flown by Alaska Airlines, resulting in renewed scrutiny of Boeing manufacturing and safety oversight. The National Transportation Safety Board found that four bolts were removed during factory maintenance but not reinstalled.
The FAA has yet to certify the Max 10, the largest variant in the 737 Max series.