Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 certification delays pushed United Airlines' first deliveries to at least summer 2027. United originally expected the aircraft to enter service in 2020. The airline currently has 167 of the jets on order.
The multi-year delay leaves hundreds of custom-made, lie-flat premium seats in storage. These seats do not fit any other aircraft in United’s current fleet.
United shifted its premium transcontinental route strategy to newly configured Airbus A321neo aircraft. Boeing completed MAX 10 certification flight testing in July 2026. United is now sourcing additional Airbus capacity to fill gaps created by the Boeing delays.