New York, Jan 21, 2026, 19:20 (ET) — After-hours
- Boeing shares edged up late in trading following fresh FAA remarks on MAX certification
- Boeing’s commercial backlog stayed in the spotlight, driven by new jet orders from Ethiopian Airlines
- The next hurdle for investors is seeing if Boeing can convert orders into actual deliveries this year
Boeing Co shares gained $1.04, or 0.4%, to $250.07 in after-hours trading Wednesday following comments from Federal Aviation Administration chief Bryan Bedford. He told reporters the FAA isn’t the hold-up for certifying Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 jets. “I don’t think FAA is the roadblock on 7 and the -10 certification,” Bedford said, adding Boeing “still has to do their work.” The two models have been delayed due to an engine de-icing issue. Boeing, which has over 1,200 MAX 10 orders backlogged, did not comment immediately, according to aviation data firm Cirium. (Reuters)
Certification marks the regulator’s approval that an aircraft complies with safety standards and is cleared for airline operations. The MAX 7 and MAX 10 anchor Boeing’s single-aisle range, but ongoing delays have airlines constantly revising their fleet strategies.
Timing is crucial as investors gauge if Boeing can finally convert its order backlog into actual deliveries and cash flow, following years of quality issues and increased regulatory scrutiny. A clearer path for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models would also help Boeing solidify its position against Airbus in the tight narrowbody market, where delivery slots remain limited and customers are growing restless.
Bedford’s comments redirect attention squarely onto Boeing’s execution. Should the bottleneck lie within the company, traders will be watching closely for signs of progress in flight testing, paperwork, and ultimately, delivery timelines.
In a separate move, Ethiopian Airlines placed an order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners and finalized the acquisition of 11 737 MAX narrowbody planes, according to Boeing and the airline on Tuesday. “We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew. (Reuters)
Boeing confirmed the nine Dreamliners are all 787-9 models, with the two deals closing in December and boosting Ethiopian’s order book by 20 aircraft. “The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing’s vice president of commercial sales and marketing for Africa. (MediaRoom)
Orders of that kind provide a boost, though the stock usually moves more on delivery updates than on fresh announcements. The 787, a twin-aisle plane designed for long-haul flights, benefits from rising widebody demand as international travel remains steady and airlines push for more fuel-efficient models.
Traders are eyeing certification milestones closely, looking for clues on the pace of work that’s delayed regulatory approval. They’ll also be on the lookout for signs of production stability and how fast Boeing can schedule customer deliveries once it clears the green light.
That said, there’s a risk. Certification deadlines have slipped in the past, and a fresh safety or production hiccup could invite renewed scrutiny. That would stall output and cast doubt on delivery goals and cash flow.
Boeing’s fourth-quarter earnings report arrives Jan. 27, followed by a conference call at 10:30 a.m. ET with CEO Kelly Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave. Investors will be tuned in for updates on the MAX 7 and MAX 10 production schedules, along with Boeing’s outlook on deliveries and cash flow for 2026. (Boeing)
