Turkish Airlines finalises up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX order amid Airbus threat
The latest order builds on the airline’s cooperation with Boeing, including its order for 75 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2025.
Turkish Airlines has finalised an agreement with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including 100 firm orders and options for 50 more.
The deal, which has been under discussion since 2025, is the flag carrier's largest-ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order. It will support the airline's fleet expansion and strengthen its short- and medium-haul network.
The agreement was finalised in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
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The order includes 100 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Turkish Airlines will also have substitution rights for the Boeing 737-10, the largest aircraft in the 737 MAX family.
The flexibility will allow the airline to align capacity with growing passenger demand across its network.
"This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet," said Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof Murat Şeker.
"The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul," he said.
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the order reflected the longstanding partnership between Boeing and Turkish Airlines.
The new aircraft will strengthen Turkish Airlines' short- and medium-haul operations, particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes.
The Boeing 737-8 offers range and payload flexibility, while reducing emissions and fuel consumption by 20%, according to the company.
Turkish Airlines, including AJet, currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft, including the 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 777 Freighter.
The latest order builds on the airline's cooperation with Boeing, including its order for 75 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2025.
Long-term industrial cooperation
Earlier this year, Turkish Airlines and Boeing also signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding on Industrial Participation.
It focuses on three areas: skill development, value creation, and business awards.
The partnership covers capability development, technology and know-how transfer, human skill development and sustainability. It also aims to create new business and industrial cooperation opportunities.
The expanded partnership goes beyond fleet expansion.
