United Airlines may have to wait until 2027 or 2028 to receive its Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the plane's regulatory approval, a high-ranking executive for the carrier revealed on Tuesday. Andrew Nocella, United's Chief Commercial Officer, speaking to reporters at an industry event, cited significant delays Boeing is experiencing in securing certification for the smaller MAX 7 variant as a key factor impacting the timeline for the larger MAX 10. The FAA (U.S. Federal Aviation Administration) must certify the MAX 7 before it can proceed with the certification of the MAX 10.

Nocella explained that in light of these uncertainties, United is strategically focusing on taking deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. "In supply chain terms, we want to make sure we get our aircraft, so we've committed to the MAX 9," Nocella stated. "Until we know the MAX 10 is going to be delivered, we don't want to have an aircraft that doesn't arrive."

This cautious approach suggests that United may have to revise its earlier aspirations of being among the initial recipients of the MAX 10. "We want to see the aircraft certified before we make the firm commitment to convert our 9s to 10s," Nocella emphasized.

Boeing has yet to issue an official statement in response to United's updated delivery expectations.

Back in 2017, United placed a substantial order for the MAX 10, a larger version of Boeing's best-selling 737 airliner, offering increased passenger capacity. Currently, the FAA has capped the production rate of the MAX at 38 aircraft per month following a mid-air emergency incident in 2024.

The certification process for the MAX 7 has also encountered hurdles. The FAA is awaiting Boeing's implementation of an engine de-icing fix before it can certify the aircraft. This follows Boeing's withdrawal of a waiver request in January 2024.

Adding to the industry-wide challenges, Alaska Airlines indicated to Reuters last year that it did not anticipate receiving its 737 MAX 10 airplanes until at least the middle of 2026.

Nocella further highlighted the persistent issues plaguing the global supply chain, affecting the availability of critical components such as engines and other aircraft parts. He noted that the unveiling of the new 787-9 with an updated interior "should have been announced six months ago" but has been delayed due to these supply chain disruptions. "I don't have a crystal ball; I can't tell you when it's going to be fixed," Nocella conceded, underscoring the pervasive uncertainty within the aerospace manufacturing sector.