SEATTLE — October 20, 2025 — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday it will allow Boeing to increase production of its 737 Max airplanes, raising the monthly production limit from 38 to 42 jets. This decision comes nearly two years after a door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max during flight, raising safety concerns.
The production cap was initially set following the January 2024 incident, when the door plug blew off the Alaska Airlines jet. Since then, Boeing’s production was also slowed by investigations and an eight-week machinists’ strike. Despite these challenges, Boeing reported hitting the previous production cap during the second quarter of 2025 and requested FAA approval to raise the limit.
A Boeing spokesperson said the company followed a “disciplined process” to safely increase production, adhering to safety guidelines and performance goals agreed upon with the FAA.
“We appreciate the work by our team, our suppliers and the FAA to ensure we are prepared to increase production with safety and quality at the forefront,” Boeing said.
Continued FAA Oversight and Safety Culture
The FAA emphasized that this production increase will not change its strict oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing processes. Inspectors have continued monitoring Boeing’s plants, even during the recent federal government shutdown starting October 1.
Last month, the FAA also restored Boeing’s authority to conduct final safety inspections and certify 737 Max jets for flight, a responsibility it had held since the plane’s two fatal crashes between 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people and led to a prolonged grounding of the aircraft.
Boeing CEO Reaffirms Commitment to Safety
Earlier this year, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg testified before a Senate committee, assuring lawmakers that production increases would not come at the cost of safety or quality.
“Just to be very clear, we won’t ramp up production if the performance isn’t indicating a stable production system,” Ortberg said.
Safety Violations and Fines
The Alaska Airlines incident was part of a series of alleged safety violations by Boeing between September 2023 and February 2024. These violations led the FAA to seek $3.1 million in fines from the company.
Summary:
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FAA raises Boeing 737 Max production cap from 38 to 42 jets per month
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Increase follows extensive safety reviews and Boeing’s adherence to FAA guidelines
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FAA maintains strict oversight and recently restored Boeing’s final inspection authority
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Boeing commits to prioritizing safety over production targets
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FAA seeks $3.1 million in fines related to safety violations