Turkish Airlines finalizes major Boeing 737 MAX order
Turkish Airlines has signed a firm order for 100 Boeing 737-8 jets with options for 50 more, resolving a year-long engine pricing dispute.
Turkish Airlines has finalized a firm order for 100 Boeing 737-8 jets with options for 50 more, part of a broader fleet renewal plan. The airline signed the order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in New York on a Wednesday in September 2026, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presiding over the ceremony.
Dispute and resolution
The order followed a year-long delay caused by a disagreement with CFM International over LEAP-1B engine pricing and maintenance terms. Negotiations began last year after a meeting between US and Turkish leaders. The LEAP-1B engine is the sole powerplant option for the 737 MAX. Turkish Airlines publicly considered switching to Airbus aircraft during the protracted dispute but ultimately kept the Boeing order. The engine dispute involved CFM International, a joint venture of GE and Safran.
Signing and substitutions
President Erdoğan presided over the finalization of the contract and signing ceremony. The contract includes a substitution right for the 737-10, allowing a route-by-route choice between the 737-8 and 737-10 without renegotiation. Boeing granted Turkish Airlines the right to substitute the ordered jets for the larger 737 MAX 10 variant with its 50 optional order slots. Certification of the 737 MAX 10 is expected in the coming months.
Fleet context
The order adds to Turkish Airlines’ existing Boeing fleet of over 200 aircraft in combination with subsidiary AJet. That fleet includes the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, 777, 737 Next-Generation, and 777 Freighter. Turkish Airlines serves 358 destinations in 133 countries, 305 of them international, from its Istanbul hub, relying on narrow-body aircraft for most routes. The airline’s long-haul fleet uses Boeing 787 Dreamliners, while the 737s handle the majority of connections. A separate 2025 commitment for up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners accompanies this order.
| Aircraft Model | Firm Order | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-8 | 100 | - | Best-selling MAX variant |
| Boeing 737 MAX (unspecified) | - | 50 | Can be substituted for 737 MAX 10 |
Strategic and political significance
The head-of-state-level signing shows the deal’s importance to Turkey’s aviation sector. Turkish Airlines prides itself on having the longest list of international destinations. It has more countries on its roster than any other carrier. Stephanie Pope of Boeing said the company is "proud to continue our support of Türkiye's aviation ecosystem." Turkish Airlines previously indicated a desire for up to 225 Boeing aircraft about a year earlier, a figure that was not realized. Ahmet Bolat is the Chair of Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines will begin integrating the new 737 MAX aircraft into its fleet, with the option to convert orders to the 737 MAX 10 variant as certification progresses.
