Good news for Boeing as their new 737 Max 8 airliner just received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This action will allow Southwest Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle to soon begin operations with the aircraft. Estimated delivery will be in the second quarter of 2017.

Watch: Boeing Unveils the new 737 MAX 9

The Max 8’s certification program began barely more than one year ago with four airplanes.

The first of potentially five variants of the new 737 Max family, the Max 8 seats as many as 189 passengers in its highest density configuration and 162 in a dual-class layout, placing it where Boeing calls the heart of the single-aisle market. Powered by CFM Leap-1B turbofans, it provides a 14 percent reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared with the 737-800NG, according to Boeing. – AINonline

Boeing says the 737 Max is its best selling aircraft ever already having over 3600 orders from more than 80 customers around the world.

Watch: Boeing 737 MAX Makes a Splash

Featured image of 737 MAX 8 Rockwell Collins’ advanced large-format flight displays by Boeing