New York, United States: Boeing and Turkish Airlines finalized an order for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on 23 September 2026, concluding discussions that began in 2025 and marking the airline’s largest Boeing single-aisle order.
The agreement covers 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for 50 additional 737 MAX jets. It also gives Turkish Airlines substitution rights for the 737-10, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, providing flexibility to use the larger aircraft as its passenger and network requirements develop. The agreement was finalized in the presence of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, in New York.
The order follows Turkish Airlines’ earlier 2025 purchase of up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and forms part of the carrier’s broader fleet and network expansion. Boeing said the 737 MAX order will strengthen Turkish Airlines’ short- and medium-haul network, particularly from its Istanbul hub.
Murat Şeker, chairman of the board and executive committee of Turkish Airlines, said, “This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet.” He added that the new 737 MAX aircraft would bring “greater efficiency and flexibility” to operations while supporting the airline’s extensive network from Istanbul. Şeker also said the agreement builds on the carrier’s longstanding cooperation with Boeing and supports Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.
Turkish Airlines, including AJet, currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft, covering the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, 777, 737 Next-Generation and 777 Freighter families. Boeing said the additional 737-8 aircraft will use their range, payload flexibility and fuel efficiency to serve high-demand domestic and international routes.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said, “This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines.” Pope added that Boeing is proud to continue supporting Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as the carrier expands its Istanbul-based network and connects more people and destinations worldwide.
Boeing said the 737 MAX family reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared with the aircraft it replaces, which the manufacturer said can support lower operating costs as Turkish Airlines responds to rising travel demand.
The finalized agreement also includes industrial participation, with Boeing continuing its commitment to support Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem. Boeing has previously highlighted its long-term industrial presence in Türkiye, including investments in the country’s aerospace supply chain.
The 737 MAX agreement concludes discussions that Turkish Airlines and Boeing began in 2025. In September 2025, Boeing announced that Turkish Airlines had committed to purchasing up to 150 additional 737 MAX aircraft alongside an order for up to 75 787 Dreamliners. At that time, Boeing described the future MAX purchase as the airline’s largest Boeing single-aisle order once finalized.
The narrowbody agreement was subsequently delayed amid discussions involving CFM International, the GE Aerospace-Safran joint venture that supplies the LEAP-1B engines for the 737 MAX. On 15 September 2026 that Turkish Airlines had considered abandoning the Boeing deal amid a dispute over engine maintenance arrangements and potentially moving the order to Airbus.
The engine issue remained relevant when the aircraft agreement was finalized. On 23 September, Turkish Airlines had not yet announced the engines for the order, with an airline spokesperson saying information would be provided when available.
Boeing said Turkish Airlines has a total fleet of 567 passenger and cargo aircraft, serving 358 destinations in 133 countries, including 305 international and 53 domestic destinations. The airline was established in 1933 with five aircraft and is a member of Star Alliance.
The latest MAX purchase therefore adds another major component to Turkish Airlines’ long-term fleet expansion, following its 2025 787 agreement. Boeing said that earlier agreement covered 35 787-9s, 15 787-10s and options for 25 additional 787s, taking the potential combined Boeing commitment across the two deals to 225 aircraft.
