Alaska Airlines is preparing for the arrival of the Boeing 737 MAX 10, a new version of the popular single-aisle jet. The airline expects the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the aircraft by the end of September 2026. Once certified, Alaska plans to receive its first MAX 10 in spring 2027 and begin commercial flights between April and mid-May 2027. Jason Berry, Alaska’s operations director, told Reuters that the certification timeline is ambitious, though he expressed confidence in the plan. After FAA approval, Alaska will need to test and validate the aircraft’s head-up displays, a process that could take several months. Boeing, the manufacturer of the MAX 10, is also hopeful about the certification schedule. On September 16, Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, said the FAA is expected to complete its review of certification documents "very soon" after the flight test campaign concludes. The main remaining task for the FAA is to evaluate the technical documentation that confirms the aircraft meets safety standards. The certification of the MAX 10 is crucial for Boeing, as it cannot deliver the aircraft to customers without FAA approval. The MAX 10, which entered flight tests in June 2021, has faced repeated delays, especially due to heightened regulatory scrutiny of the 737 MAX program following past safety issues. The aircraft can carry up to 230 passengers, depending on how airlines configure the interior. It is the longest variant in the MAX family, which includes the MAX 8 and MAX 9 models. For Alaska Airlines, the MAX 10 represents a key part of its future growth and fleet modernization. In January 2023, the airline placed its largest order ever: 105 firm Boeing 737-10s, with options for 35 more, as well as five 787s to support international flights from Seattle. Deliveries of these aircraft are expected to continue through 2035. Alaska already operates MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft, along with older 737 models. The MAX 10 will help the airline expand its most popular routes and replace its oldest single-aisle planes. The aircraft shares many systems with existing 737 models, which simplifies training and maintenance for crews and technicians. However, Alaska has kept some flexibility in its order, allowing it to switch to a different 737 variant if needed.