The Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, is reportedly set for its first flight.
The maiden flight of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 is set to take off at 10 AM local time from Seattle, the United States on June 18, 2021, Reuters reported, citing insider sources close to the matter. The event is expected to be quiet, as Boeing is trying to recover from the overlapping crisis that involved two Boeing 737 MAX crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
#BREAKING – Although no formal announcement from #Boeing, multiple sources have confirmed to me that the 1st flight of the @BoeingAirplanes #737MAX10 will indeed be taking place today from @FlyRenton. Here are a few pics from this morning of it on the ramp. #737MAX10FF #737FF pic.twitter.com/tamMOEhFBt
— Brandon Farris Photography (@BDFphotography) June 18, 2021
Like Boeing’s other 737 MAX variants, the MAX 10 incorporates the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, and large flight deck displays. The Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft has a range of 3,300 nautical miles (6,110 km) and a capability to seat up between 188 to 230 passengers, depending on aircraft configuration.
If certified, Boeing 737 MAX 10 is set to be a major competitor to the Airbus A321neo aircraft, which has similar parameters. In comparison, the Airbus A321neo has a range of 7,400 km and is able to seat up to 244 passengers.
The 737 MAX 10 has accumulated more than 550 orders from 20 customers, according to Boeing. The launch customer will be United Airlines, with 100 aircraft ordered. In February 2021, Boeing postponed the first deliveries of the 737 MAX 10 until 2023.
While Boeing is preparing for its first 737 MAX 10 voyage, the aircraft would later need to undergo rigorous certification procedures, following a 20-month hiatus caused by the two fatal crashes of smaller Boeing 737 MAX variants in Ethiopia and Indonesia. The Boeing 737 MAX was recertified and authorized by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to return to commercial service on November 18, 2020.
In April 2021, over 109 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft across the globe were temporarily grounded and deliveries suspended after issues affecting the aircraft’s electrical grounding were found. A fix was approved by the FAA and service resumed on May 19, 2021.
On June 16, 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive that warranted all Boeing 737 MAX operators to perform additional electronic inspections on the aircraft’s flight control system. 461 Boeing 737 MAXs fell into the category of models directly affected. This included 72 aircraft operating in the United States and 389 aircraft worldwide.
