On February 16, 2018 the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially certified Boeing 737 MAX 9 for commercial use by issuing it an amended type certificate (ATC). The certificate confirms that overall aircraft performance, as well as its handling and systems, comply with required aviation regulations.

The aircraft will enter service with its Indonesian launch operator Lion Air Group later in 2018.

The 737 MAX 9 is designed for a maximum range of 3,550 nautical miles and has a capacity of up to 220 passengers, which is approximately three seat rows more than 737 MAX 8, capable of carrying 178 passengers at a time.

The first flight of 737 MAX 9 occurred in March 2017, two months after Boeing 737 MAX 8 entered service. The newest MAX family aircraft, the 737 MAX 10, is in a detailed design phase, as it completed the firm configuration earlier in February 2018.

Since the program launch in 2011, Boeing has already called 737 MAX “the fastest selling aircraft in [the company’s] history” with total orders exceeding 4,300. Boeing has four 737 MAX variants and one minor variant, which is a high density modification of the MAX 8 model.

The single-aisle 737 MAX jets are equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays and other features.