New York, Jan 21, 2026, 19:20 (ET) — After-hours
- Boeing shares ticked higher in late trading after the FAA issued new comments on MAX certification
- Boeing’s commercial backlog remained a focal point, boosted by fresh jet orders from Ethiopian Airlines
- Investors now face the challenge of whether Boeing can turn its orders into real deliveries this year
Boeing Co shares climbed $1.04, or 0.4%, to $250.07 in after-hours trading Wednesday after Federal Aviation Administration chief Bryan Bedford said the FAA isn’t the bottleneck for certifying the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 jets. “I don’t think FAA is the roadblock on 7 and the -10 certification,” Bedford told reporters, noting Boeing “still has to do their work.” The two models have faced delays over an engine de-icing problem. Boeing, which has more than 1,200 MAX 10 orders pending, did not immediately respond, according to aviation data firm Cirium. Reuters
Certification signals the regulator’s green light that an aircraft meets safety standards and is fit for airline service. The MAX 7 and MAX 10 form the backbone of Boeing’s single-aisle lineup, yet persistent delays have airlines frequently reshuffling their fleet plans.
Investors are watching closely to see if Boeing can turn its hefty order backlog into real deliveries and cash flow after years of quality setbacks and tougher regulatory oversight. Securing a clearer launch timeline for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models could strengthen Boeing’s stance against Airbus in the competitive narrowbody segment, where delivery slots are scarce and buyers’ patience is wearing thin.
Bedford’s remarks put the spotlight back on Boeing’s ability to execute. If the hold-up is inside the company, traders will zero in on any updates in flight testing, regulatory approvals, and delivery schedules.
Ethiopian Airlines has ordered nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners and sealed a deal for 11 737 MAX narrowbody jets, Boeing and the airline confirmed Tuesday. “We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said. Reuters
Boeing confirmed all nine Dreamliners are 787-9 variants, with the two deals finalizing in December and adding 20 planes to Ethiopian’s order tally. “The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing’s VP of commercial sales and marketing for Africa. MediaRoom
Orders like these give the stock a lift, but it’s delivery updates that tend to drive price swings more than new orders. The 787, a twin-aisle aircraft built for long-range routes, is seeing a tailwind from growing widebody demand. International travel is holding steady, and airlines are keen on more fuel-efficient jets.
Traders are zeroing in on certification milestones, searching for hints about the pace of work that’s held up regulatory approval. They’re also watching for any signs of production steadiness and how quickly Boeing can ramp up customer deliveries after getting the go-ahead.
Still, risks remain. Certification deadlines have slipped before, and any new safety or production issues could trigger fresh scrutiny. That would delay output and raise questions about meeting delivery targets and cash flow projections.
Boeing is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on Jan. 27, with a conference call following at 10:30 a.m. ET featuring CEO Kelly Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave. Investors will be closely watching for updates on the production timelines for the MAX 7 and MAX 10, as well as the company’s 2026 outlook for deliveries and cash flow.
