Boeing has initiated formal certification flight tests of its newly revised engine anti-ice (EAI) design on the lead 737 MAX 10 test aircraft. This critical step addresses a longstanding safety issue that previously delayed certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants.
The EAI system fix targets regulator concerns over potential ice accumulation in engine inlets during rare conditions, which could impact performance. Boeing’s initial solution, tested last year, introduced new safety risks, prompting a redesign after thousands of engineering hours.
Now finalized, the updated design integrates baseline modifications for both models. Boeing is negotiating a certification test plan with the FAA, presenting analysis under rigorous oversight to meet safety standards.
These tests mark progress toward 2026 certification and first deliveries, slipping from Boeing’s prior 2025 target for the MAX 7’s debut to a business jet customer. The delay stems directly from the unresolved EAI issue, constraining Boeing’s single-aisle production ramp-up.
Certification approval remains pivotal for airlines awaiting these higher-capacity variants, as it unlocks orders and eases capacity pressures amid Boeing’s constrained 737 MAX output.