Boeing has decided to skip European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the 737 MAX 7 for now, according to a report published on August 22, 2026.

The report by Simple Flying states that the aircraft will be operated almost entirely by Southwest Airlines, leading Boeing to focus first on U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.

As of July, Boeing had completed certification flight testing on both the 737-7 and 737-10, with certification anticipated in 2026 and first delivery in 2027.

This decision reflects an adjustment in Boeing's certification strategy, particularly aligned with the operational needs of its primary customer, Southwest Airlines.