NEW YORK ― Boeing is targeting certifications of the 737 MAX 7 and 10 models for 2026, eyeing commercial deliveries of those two jets and the 777-9 in 2027, the company's CEO said on Wednesday.
Boeing is "clearly getting to the final stages" with the two MAX planes, Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg said at a Wall Street conference. The company plans to then shift focus in its flight test program to the 777X.
"We're building the airplanes and getting ready to start the deliveries next year," Ortberg said.
The 737 MAX 7, the smallest version of the single-aisle plane, was originally planned to commence deliveries in 2019, while the 737 MAX 10, the largest incarnation of the MAX, was to have begun deliveries in 2020.
The 777X has also been pushed back several times.
Ortberg, named CEO of Boeing in July 2024 as the company struggled with safety problems, said he was pleased at Boeing's "really good progress" over the last year in terms of securing new orders and improving production systems.
But he acknowledged that the certifications ― getting approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration ― had taken longer than he wanted.
In terms of the production outlook, Ortberg said US aviation officials had cleared the company to lift its monthly output on the 737 MAX to 47 from 42 after going through delays over engine de-icing issues.
Ortberg expressed confidence there will be no further “hiccups” in the certification process.
He also said the company will implement the ramp-up over the next couple of months and envisions further raising the output to 52 monthly, with the eventual target of 63 after opening a fourth 737 production line in Everett, Washington.
Boeing shares were up 1.9 percent.
