FAA restores Boeing's self-certification authority for 737 Max and 787 aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday that Boeing can resume issuing airworthiness certificates for all its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, starting July 20th. Boeing lost this authority after two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, and later after quality control issues with the 787. The FAA conducted an eight-month test from September 2025, during which Boeing and federal inspectors alternated weeks certifying aircraft. The FAA found their safety findings were comparable, concluding Boeing's processes have improved enough to handle full certification again. This represents a significant milestone for Boeing's recovery. However, FAA inspectors will continue monitoring production, focusing more effort on catching defects earlier in manufacturing rather than final certification. The decision also enables production increases, with monthly 737 Max caps rising from 38 to 47 aircraft.
Key facts
- Boeing lost airworthiness certification authority in 2019 for 737 Max after two fatal crashes killing 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia
- FAA took away 787 certification authority in 2022 due to production quality issues
- Eight-month test period from September 2025 showed comparable quality findings between Boeing and FAA inspectors
- Decision takes effect July 20, 2026
- 737 Max production cap increased from 38 to 47 aircraft per month
- January 2024 Alaska Airlines door plug incident renewed safety scrutiny before this decision
Limits of this briefing
Search results show limited coverage from explicitly left-leaning or right-leaning outlets. Most coverage comes from centrist business and aviation news sources. Online comments on some articles reflect skepticism about self-certification, but editorial positions from major political outlets were not found in available results.
Sources
- CNBC: FAA lets Boeing sign off on 737 Max, 787 airworthiness certificates again Centre
- Leeham News and Analysis: Boeing secures FAA approval to issue airworthiness certificates for new 737s and 787s Centre
- Federal Aviation Administration: After Months of Safety Review, FAA Allows Boeing to Resume Issuing Certificates for New Airplanes Centre
- One Mile at a Time (travel blog/news): FAA Now Lets Boeing Self-Certify 737 MAX & 787, Decide If They're Safe To Fly Centre
- Associated Press / KUOW (NPR): FAA says Boeing can resume self-certifying its jets as airworthy Centre