Turkish Airlines Finalizes Major Order for Up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX Jets
ISTANBUL — Turkish Airlines has finalized a major agreement with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, marking the airline’s largest Boeing single-aisle aircraft order to date.
The agreement, finalized on September 23, includes a firm order for 100 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, together with options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets. Turkish Airlines will also have the flexibility to switch aircraft to the larger 737-10, depending on future passenger demand and operational requirements.
The new aircraft will form an important part of Turkish Airlines’ long-term fleet expansion strategy, strengthening its short- and medium-haul operations from its major Istanbul hub.
According to Boeing, the 737 MAX aircraft offer a combination of range, payload flexibility and fuel efficiency that will allow Turkish Airlines to serve high-demand domestic and international routes. Boeing says the 737 MAX family uses around 20% less fuel and produces 20% fewer emissions than the aircraft it replaces.
Deliveries to begin in 2033
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2033 and 2037, giving Turkish Airlines a long-term pipeline of new-generation narrow-body aircraft as it continues expanding its global network.
Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Murat Şeker, said the new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft would provide greater efficiency and flexibility while supporting the airline’s extensive network from Istanbul.
The order also strengthens an already significant relationship between Turkish Airlines and Boeing. Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet currently operate more than 200 Boeing aircraft, including 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft.
Building on a major Boeing investment
The new narrow-body order follows Turkish Airlines’ agreement in 2025 for up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, consisting of 50 firm aircraft and 25 options. The latest 737 MAX agreement therefore represents another major step in the airline’s long-term fleet modernization plans.
The 737 MAX aircraft will give Turkish Airlines additional capacity for routes where the larger wide-body aircraft are not required, while the option to move to the 737-10 provides flexibility as demand changes.
For Boeing, the agreement represents another major order from one of the world’s largest international airlines and further strengthens its position in Turkish aviation.
With deliveries stretching through the middle of the next decade, the order highlights Turkish Airlines’ plans to continue growing its fleet and expanding connectivity from Istanbul to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
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