Boeing's 737-10 missed Alaska's September target, but a software glitch looks like only a short delay

Boeing's 737-10, the largest 737 MAX, is close to FAA approval again after a late stumble. Leeham News reported on October 6, 2026, that certification "appears back on track." It called the delay a "hiccup rather than a major setback."

That matters for anyone who flies Alaska Airlines or Ryanair, both 737-10 customers. Alaska had expected the jet to be certified by the end of September. That date has now passed, and no new date has been given.

What went wrong

The problem was in the flight management software, version U14, used on some 737 MAX jets, including the 737-7 and 737-10. According to Leeham, the glitch can sometimes appear when pilots load a new flight plan during a go-around, which is when a plane aborts a landing and climbs away. In that case, the crew may need to step in and fly the plane by hand.

Boeing flagged the issue to airlines in a bulletin. The FAA sent a special airworthiness information bulletin to operators and to foreign regulators. It also set up a review board, which concluded that pilots would not be overloaded.

The FAA said that "pilots retain full control of the aircraft." It said the alerts to the crew are "clear and unambiguous," and that it will act if it gets new information. Leeham reported that some US airlines have said they prefer MAX jets running earlier software.

Where the 737-10 stands

This is the latest in a long run of delays. Both the 737-7 and 737-10 were held up for years by an engine anti-ice issue. In January, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company had a "final set of design changes" to fix it, according to a Seattle Times report. Boeing said then that it had about 30 finished 737-7s and 737-10s waiting to be delivered once they were certified.

The smaller 737-7 has since won FAA approval, as we reported in our story on Southwest's first 737-7s. The 737-10 is the last MAX model still waiting. Leeham says it could clear its last hurdle "sometime soon," but gave no date.

Boeing is also trying to fix how it certifies new planes. It has named longtime executive Doug Ackerman to review its programs. Its product strategy chief, Michael Sinnett, told reporters Boeing wants future certifications to take "like a year or two," according to Leeham.

Why travelers should care

The 737-10 is the stretch model of the MAX, built to carry more people on busy routes. Airlines want it to replace older single-aisle jets and add seats without adding flights.

Alaska Airlines is one of the biggest buyers. In January, Boeing announced Alaska's order for 105 737-10s, plus options for 35 more, its largest order ever. Alaska said the planes would replace part of its fleet and help it grow. Every month of delay means Alaska keeps flying older jets longer.

Ryanair is the other customer Leeham names. Leeham says a short delay like this one is the better outcome that Ryanair and other 737-10 buyers had hoped for.

For passengers, nothing about safety changes on the jets you fly today. The FAA's review found that pilots can handle the software issue. The 737-10 itself carries no paying passengers yet. When it does, its cabin will depend on each airline's seats, not on Boeing.

What to watch

The key date is the FAA's amended type certificate for the 737-10. After that, Boeing can start handing over the jets it has already built. Boeing reports third-quarter results on October 27, and it may give a new timeline then.

We will update this story when the 737-10 is certified, and when Alaska says which routes get it first.