Turkish Airlines and Boeing finalized an agreement on 23 September 2026 in New York for a firm order of 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft plus options for 50 additional 737 MAX jets. The deal includes substitution rights allowing the carrier to switch to the larger, not-yet-certified 737 MAX 10 as demand develops.
Boeing's press release describes the agreement as Turkish Airlines' largest single-aisle order from the manufacturer. The signing took place in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the United Nations General Assembly. Turkish Airlines Chairman Prof Murat Şeker said the new MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to operations from the airline's Istanbul hub.
Deliveries are scheduled from 2033 through 2037. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope called the order a reflection of the trust and shared vision defining the long-standing partnership. Boeing states the 737 MAX family reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared with the airplanes they replace.
The agreement concludes negotiations initiated in 2025, when Turkish Airlines announced plans for up to 150 MAX jets alongside a separate 787 Dreamliner order. Talks had stalled over maintenance terms with CFM International, the GE Aerospace-Safran joint venture that produces the LEAP-1B engines powering the 737 MAX. Reuters reported the carrier had considered abandoning the Boeing purchase in favour of Airbus if engine negotiations failed.
The MAX purchase builds on Turkish Airlines' 2025 commitment for up to 75 787 Dreamliners (50 firm, 25 options), including 35 787-9s and 15 787-10s plus 25 options. The 787-10 will be a new variant for the airline, slated for high-density routes between Istanbul and destinations in the United States, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet currently operate more than 200 Boeing aircraft.
