ORDER - Boeing and Turkish Airlines Finalize Order for up to 150 737 MAX Jets

Airline's largest Boeing single-aisle order follows record 787 Dreamliner purchase

737 MAX will strengthen Turkish Airlines' short- and medium-haul network

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire(opens in a new tab)/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Turkish Airlines today announced an order for up to 150 737 MAX airplanes, concluding the discussions initiated in 2025 and supporting the flag carrier's expansion goals.

The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalized in the presence of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, president of the Republic of Türkiye.

Boeing and Turkish Airlines Finalize Order for up to 150 737 MAX Jets.

Prof Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and the executive committee; His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, president of the Republic of Türkiye; and Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, mark the signing of Turkish Airlines' order for up to 150 737 MAX airplanes.

Turkish Airlines purchased 100 737-8 airplanes and secured options for 50 more 737 MAX jets, making this the airline's largest Boeing single-aisle order. The agreement includes substitution rights for the 737-10, the largest 737 MAX variant, so Turkish Airlines can comfortably serve more passengers on more routes to meet growing demand.

"This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. 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," said Prof Murat Şeker, Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and the executive committee. "We are pleased to build on our longstanding cooperation with Boeing through an agreement that also supports Türkiye's aviation ecosystem."

Turkish Airlines (including AJet) operates a fleet of more than 200 Boeing airplanes, including the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, 777, 737 Next-Generation and 777 Freighter. By adding more 737-8 jets to its fleet, the airline will leverage the airplane's range, payload flexibility and fuel efficiency to serve high-demand domestic and international routes.

"This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We're proud to continue our support of Türkiye's aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as it grows its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people and destinations worldwide."

The 737 MAX family reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace, enabling lower operating costs and supporting the airline's growth strategy to meet rising travel demand.

Turkish Airlines' 737 MAX purchase builds on its 2025 order for up to 75 787 Dreamliners as part of the global carrier's investment in fleet and network expansion. The agreement is also accompanied by industrial participation, under which Boeing continues its commitment and support of the Turkish aviation ecosystem.

 

FLEET - Red Sea Airlines (Egypt) has agreed to lease two new B737-8 from (Ireland) as the carrier plans to expand its fleet to 14 aircraft by 2028

 Delivery is set for July and August 2027. 

Red Sea will also receive a B737-800 from Aergo Capital (Ireland) by the end of 2026 and is negotiating with lessors for another seven aircraft.

FLEET - flydubai (UAE) has announced the next phase of its growth strategy, expanding its fleet beyond 100 aircraft and launching a new cabin retrofit program in September 2026.

 The airline will take delivery of 11 additional aircraft in 2026, including seven B737-9 and four B737-8.

FLEET - TAROM Takes Delivery of Its First Boeing 737 MAX

Romania's national carrier welcomes first 737-8 as it renews its single-aisle fleet

BUCHAREST, Romania – Boeing [NYSE: BA], TAROM and CDB Aviation today marked the delivery of the airline’s first 737-8, the first Boeing 737 MAX in Romania, a milestone in the national carrier’s fleet modernization and long-term growth strategy.

“The addition of the first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to the TAROM fleet is a pivotal moment in the company’s transformation process,” said Cristian Anghel, TAROM CEO. “Fleet renewal and efficient operational capacity are essential components of our restructuring plan, enabling us to achieve operational efficiency. By integrating this model into our fleet, TAROM offers its passengers a superior travel experience. This aircraft’s advanced technology and low environmental footprint align perfectly with our vision for sustainable operations and our commitment to maintaining a young, state-of-the-art fleet that connects Romania to the world.”

Boeing, TAROM and CDB Aviation today marked the delivery of the airline's first 737-8, the first Boeing 737 MAX in Romania, a milestone in the national carrier's fleet modernization and long-term growth strategy.
“The fact that the aircraft bears the name of Mircea Lucescu also adds a symbolic dimension. We are talking about performance, discipline, and trust – values that also define this new chapter for TAROM,” Anghel added.

TAROM’s 737-8 is the first of two airplanes leased from CDB Aviation to renew the airline’s single-aisle fleet, which currently includes four 737 Next-Generation jets. The 737 MAX provides operational consistency and increased efficiency, reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace.

“We are delighted to support TAROM as it takes delivery of its first 737-8 and continues its fleet modernization strategy,” said Gavan Daly, CDB Aviation’s Head of Commercial, EMEA. “This delivery underscores our long-standing partnership with Boeing and our commitment to providing TAROM with efficient, state-of-the-art aircraft that enhance operational performance and offer a better experience for passengers.”

TAROM will fly its growing 737 MAX fleet on routes connecting Bucharest with major European capitals, providing an enhanced passenger experience.
“We are honored to see TAROM welcome the 737 MAX into service. This milestone reflects the trust the airline has in the 737 family and in our partnership as it charts its next chapter,” said Mario Antonio Ebcim, Boeing sales director for Eurasia and India. “We are continuing to deliver on our promise of safety, reliability and comfort to the more than 1 million passengers who fly on our airplanes every day.”

Boeing’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook projects that Eurasian airlines will need to expand their in-service fleet from about 6,800 airplanes today to nearly 11,000 by 2045 to meet travel demand. Single-aisle airplanes like the 737 MAX are expected to account for nearly 81% of newly delivered airplanes to the region to support fleet growth and renewal.

SPECIAL LIVERY - China Southern Airlines / Boeing 737-8 MAX / B-1200 - My Altay, the Snow Capital of China

Photo: Lazy Clutch
 

FLEET - All Nippon Airways (ANA) first Boeing 737-8 MAX (JA030A) - ANA expects deliveries of the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to begin in October 2026,

Photo: Alex Crail
 

SPECIAL LIVERY - AEROMEXICO / Boeing 737 MAX 8 / XA-MAT - "Patrocinador Oficial de la NFL en México" sticker

Photo: Alex Crail

FLEET / ORDER - Aerolíneas Argentinas orders 20 aircraft.

The plan includes 6 Airbus A330neo, 8 Boeing 737 MAX 10, and 6 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets.

The first aircraft to arrive will be a Boeing 737 MAX 8, expected in the first quarter of 2027. Airbus A330neo deliveries begin in the first half of 2028 and continue through 2029 and 2030.

ORDER - Vietnam Airlines to dry lease 19 B737-8s

Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi Noi Bai International) plans to dry lease nineteen B737-8s from three lessors for delivery in 2028, the carrier said in a press release. The airline will source ten units from SMBC Aviation Capital, four from Avolon, and five from Phoenix Aviation Capital.
The additional aircraft will expand Vietnam Airlines' planned B737-8 fleet to 69 units, comprising 50 firm orders and the 19 dry-leased jets. The carrier did not disclose the lease terms.

The agreements follow an initial request for quotations issued in November 2025 for the operating lease of 20 narrowbody aircraft seating fewer than 200 passengers, with options for up to ten more.

In February 2026, Vietnam Airlines finalised its order for fifty B737-8s, converting a non-binding agreement reached with Boeing in 2023. Deliveries under the direct order are scheduled between 2030 and 2032, after the leased aircraft arrive.

Vietnam Airlines operates an in-house fleet of 94 aircraft, comprising one A320-200, three A320-200Ns, thirty-nine A321-200s, twenty A321-200Ns, fourteen A350-900s, six B787-10s, and eleven B787-9s.

CH Aviation

FLEET - Tarom Moves Boeing B737 Max8 Debut To Mid-August 2026

TAROM has revised the dates for the start of operations with the Boeing 737 MAX 8, now scheduled for mid-August 2026, a month later than previously planned.

Bucharest: 

Amsterdam - 16AUG26

Athens - 17AUG26

Beirut - 02SEP26 

Cluj - 20AUG26

Frankfurt - 16AUG26

Madrid - 20AUG26– 

Paris Charles de Gaulle - 01SEP26

Tel Aviv - 03SEP26

Timisoara  - 03SEP26

IMAGE - Flyingphotos AI

Air Algérie takes first B737-8

Air Algérie (AH, Algiers) has taken delivery of the first of ten B737-8s it plans to take on lease. 

7T-VLQ (msn 44017) was ferried from Budapest to Algiers on July 9, 2026, concurrently with the first ATR72-600 for subsidiary Domestic Airlines. 

The B737-8, leased from BOC Aviation, was originally due for GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, and was even ferried to Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves in late February 2026. However, the Brazilian airline ultimately did not take it, and the aircraft was ferried to Budapest on March 18, without operating a single revenue flight for GOL. 

Air Algérie expects another four leased B737-8s this year, and five more in 2027. It also has a firm order for eight B737-9s directly from Boeing, with the first one due in 2027.

CH Aviation / Image Flyingphotos AI

SPECIAL COLOURS - Copa Airlines Unveils “El Avión de la Sele” Panama’s National Football Team

The aircraft selected to carry this unique livery is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as HP-9819CMP.

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Southwest Airlines: Independence One dedicated to America's 250th anniversary

Independence One during water cannon salute 

Independence One departs BWI after unveiling 

Southwest Independence One water salute (Credit: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Fire and Rescue Department) 

Southwest Independence One mid water salute upon first departure (Credit: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Fire and Rescue Department)

Southwest Independence One departs BWI after unveiling (Credit: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Fire and Rescue Department) 

Southwest Independence One BWI taxis out after unveiling (Credit: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Fire and Rescue Department) 
 

ROUTES - Thai VietJet Air will begin B737-8 flights from 26 January 2026, on international routes, including Japan, Vietnam and Macau from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Chiang Mai.

Photo: Thai Vietjet / Aviator
 

ORDER - Norwegian Group Places New Order for Boeing 737 MAX

- Leading Scandinavian airline extends its commitment to the 737 MAX with agreement for 30 737-8 airplanes

- Fuel-efficient, reliable 737 MAX airplanes to help Norwegian Group expand its network across Europe

OSLO, Norway, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswir / -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Norwegian Group announced today that the airline group has placed an order for 30 737-8 airplanes as the airline looks to expand its service across Europe.
The agreement represents the group's first direct Boeing order since 2017 and increases their 737 MAX order book to 80 airplanes.
"This milestone aircraft order is on attractive terms and secures our fleet growth in a way that supports our planned growth and sustainability targets. By exercising the options and adjusting the delivery profile, we maintain flexibility while reinforcing our commitment to operating one of the most modern and fuel-efficient fleets in Europe," said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian. "These aircraft will not only lower emissions but also provide our customers with an even better travel experience. We are pleased to extend our solid long-term partnership with Boeing through this order."
Norwegian has predominantly operated Boeing single-aisle airplanes since placing its first order for the Next-Generation 737-800 in 2007. It was the first European airline to take delivery of the 737 MAX in 2017 and was also the first airline to operate the 737-8 model on transatlantic routes between Europe and the U.S.
In 2022, Norwegian restructured its order book, firming its commitment to 50 737-8s with options for an additional 30 airplanes.
"Norwegian's impressive performance over the past few years has demonstrated the strength of their network, business model and strategy. Today's agreement for an additional 30 737-8s will support their ambition to be the airline of choice in Scandinavia, providing flexibility to expand across Europe and beyond," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "Norwegian has been a great partner to the 737 program, having placed over 200 orders for the 737 NG and MAX since 2007. We are honored that Norwegian continues to place its trust in our 737 team to grow its business."
The 737-8 model can carry up to 200 passengers depending on configuration, with a range of up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km). The 737 MAX family is well-suited to support airline fleet modernization by reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace.
About Norwegian 
The Norwegian group is a leading Nordic aviation company, headquartered at Fornebu outside Oslo, Norway. The company has over 8,200 employees and owns two of the prominent airlines in the Nordics: Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe's Flyveselskap. Widerøe was acquired by Norwegian in 2024, aiming to facilitate seamless air travel across the two airline's networks.
Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest Norwegian airline with around 4,700 employees, operates an extensive route network connecting Nordic countries to key European destinations. In 2024, Norwegian carried 22,6 million passengers and maintained a fleet of 86 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

FLEET - Garuda Indonesia mulls B737 MAX lease Support

Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) is in talks with BOC Aviation about a lease of one B737-8, Bloomberg reported. If confirmed, the transaction would mark an about-face for the airline, which, on paper, retains an order for forty-nine B737-8s but has long wanted to nix it.
The lessor confirmed it was in talks with the carrier, but Garuda did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
The Indonesian carrier is currently struggling with capacity shortages caused by a double-digit number of its aircraft stuck in maintenance. Garuda reportedly had troubles paying for some of the maintenance, although the carrier denied the claims and attributed the groundings to global, industry-wide supply chain issues.
In June, Garuda secured a USD405 million shareholder loan from Indonesia's recently formed sovereign wealth fund, Danantara (Daya Anagata Nusantara), which holds a 64.5% stake in the airline. The bulk of the loan is earmarked for fleet growth, although primarily targeted at low-cost carrier unit Citilink. Garuda Indonesia Group confirmed in a June 24 stock market filing that up to IDR4.8 trillion Indonesian rupiahs (USD297 million), or over 72%, of the loan will go to the LCC, with the remaining allocated to Garuda Indonesia.
The carrier took delivery of a single B737-8 of its order for 50 units in December 2017, but grounded it after the October 2018 crash of the same aircraft type operated by Lion Air. It never resumed operations with the aircraft and returned it in 2022. The remainder of the order is still on Boeing's books, but Garuda has been vocal about its intention to cancel the deal. Its narrowbody fleet currently comprises forty-five B737-800s.

CH Aviation

 

ORDER - Skymark orders more MAXs

Skymark Airlines has announced it has decided to increase its number of Boeing B737MAXs on order with Boeing with six additional frames.
In total, it now has ten MAXs on firm order, eight B737-8s and two B737-10s.
According to the statement from Skymark Airlines, it will take delivery of its first MAX in 2030.

The airline announced its first order for four MAXs in November 2022. Back then it also signalled its intention to lease six B737-8s but it seems these have now been ordered directly.
Currently, Skymark is operating a fleet of 29 B737-800s.
Illustration:  Boeing.

ORDER - AviLease Places First Direct Boeing Order for up to 30 737 MAX Jets

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and AviLease, a global aircraft lessor headquartered in Saudi Arabia, announced the lessor has placed its first direct order for Boeing airplanes with a firm purchase for 20 737-8 jets and options for 10 more.

The deal enables AviLease to scale up its growing portfolio and provides its customers with the latest generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.

"We are pleased to conclude our first direct Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) order, complementing our growth strategy towards being at the top of the industry," said Edward O'Byrne, CEO of AviLease. "Building on our recently achieved investment grade ratings, this transaction proves our ability to transact across all market channels, including sale and lease-back, secondary trading, M&A and now direct OEM purchasing. These new aircraft will accelerate our growth and enable us to deliver the industry's latest generation, fuel–efficient fleet solutions. We extend our gratitude to the Boeing team for the strong long-term relationship we have built."

The single-aisle order aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. The airplanes will support the country's goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

"We are honored to strengthen our relationship with a key Saudi Arabian commercial aviation partner and expand the global 737 MAX fleet," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "The 737 MAX will diversify AviLease's portfolio by delivering unrivalled fuel efficiency and market-leading versatility. It's a powerful combination that will fuel AviLease's profitable global expansion and support their airline customers' business and sustainability goals."

The Boeing 737, with a large global customer base and low operating costs, is a cornerstone of the leasing industry, representing approximately 30% of all financed airplanes.

 

Air India Express to become all-economy airline by 2Q26

 

Air India Express (IX, Delhi International) is set to reconfigure the cabin of its two- and three-class aircraft to an all-economy layout by April 2026, managing director Aloke Singh said during a media briefing at the company's headquarters.

"Certain B737-8 aircraft will be reconfigured and converted into all economy," the news outlet Mint reported Singh as saying.

The aircraft in question were delivered as white tails originally earmarked for various Chinese airlines. Air India Express picked them up when they already had the cabins installed.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, thirty-six out of forty-one B737-8s operated by Air India Express feature eight business class seats, and a further two aircraft of the type are outfitted with four such seats. The aircraft also have varying economy class configurations, ranging from 150 to 186 seats. Thirteen of the aircraft also have 18 economy plus seats each.

Air India Express also operates two A320-200Ns with 12 business class seats each.

The airline expects to grow its passenger numbers by 50% in the 2026 fiscal year (to March 31, 2026), jumping from 20 million to 30 million.

The low-cost carrier plans to take delivery of 15 aircraft in FY2026, including 11 factory-new jets and four airframes previously used by parent company Air India. In total, the airline is expecting to add 149 aircraft in the coming years, fifty B737-10s and ninety-nine B737-8s, ch-aviation data reveals.

Air India Express currently operates 104 aircraft: twenty-four A320-200s, twelve A320-200Ns, twenty-six B737-800s, and forty-two B737-8s. The airline is set to introduce A321-200Ns to its fleet starting April 15, on the route between Delhi International-Goa Mopa.

CH Aviation

Photos: Air India Express

LOT Polish Airlines launches direct flights from Warsaw to Lisbon

 Photo: Ton Jochems - AYT

LOT Polish Airlines has inaugurated a direct route between Warsaw and Lisbon, marking its third destination on the Iberian Peninsula. Flights will initially operate five times a week before increasing to a daily service from 24 February 2025.

The route will be served by Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, offering passengers access to one of Europe’s most picturesque capitals. L

isbon, known for its historic tram rides, Fado music, and iconic custard tarts, is a gateway for Polish travellers, while Portuguese passengers can benefit from seamless connections to Eastern Europe via Warsaw.