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In the face of ongoing certification delays, Southwest Airlines remains committed to its exclusive aircraft supplier, Boeing. The airline expects the 737 MAX 7 to be certified in the first half of 2026, with deliveries anticipated by year-end.
Southwest operates an all-737 fleet and has placed 672 firm orders for the MAX 7 and MAX 8 jets. Despite past issues with the model, Southwest is eager to receive its new aircraft. Certification delays have been partly due to engine problems, specifically with the CFM International LEAP-1B engines' anti-ice functions and load-reduction devices (LRDs), which have caused overheating and oil leaks.
During a recent earnings call, Southwest CEO Robert Jordan expressed optimism about fleet modernization: "Now the production and our deliveries are still well behind our contractual plan and what we actually need. But the point is we're seeing them move up not down, which is good."
