Turkish Airlines (THY) has finalized a landmark deal with Boeing for up to 150 737 MAX aircraft, marking the carrier’s largest-ever single-aisle order from the U.S. planemaker as it presses ahead with an ambitious long-term fleet expansion.
The agreement, finalized in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following negotiations underway since 2025, is aimed at strengthening the flag carrier’s short- and medium-haul network while supporting its broader growth strategy, THY said Wednesday.
Under the deal, Turkish Airlines placed firm orders for 100 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and secured options for an additional 50 737 MAX jets.
The agreement also gives the airline flexibility to switch to the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the MAX family, allowing THY to adjust capacity in line with passenger demand and operational requirements across its network.
The new aircraft are expected to bolster Turkish Airlines’ short- and medium-haul operations, particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes.
The 737-8 offers improvements in range and payload capacity while reducing fuel consumption and emissions by about 20% compared with the aircraft it replaces, according to the company.
Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet currently operate more than 200 Boeing aircraft, including the 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 777 Freighter.
The latest deal follows Turkish Airlines’ order for 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2025 and further expands the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Beyond aircraft purchases, Turkish Airlines and Boeing have also sought to deepen cooperation within Türkiye’s aviation industry.
The companies signed a strategic memorandum of understanding this year establishing an industrial participation framework centered on capability development, value creation and new business opportunities.
The initiative is intended to promote technology and knowledge sharing, workforce development, sustainability efforts and new industrial partnerships, extending cooperation between Turkish Airlines and Boeing beyond fleet expansion.
Turkish Airlines Chairperson Murat Şeker said the agreement represented an important step in the carrier’s fleet growth strategy.
"The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our Istanbul hub,” Şeker said.
"We are pleased to further advance our long-standing cooperation with Boeing through this agreement, which will also contribute to Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope said the order reflected the "mutual trust and shared vision” underpinning the companies’ long-standing relationship.
"We are proud to continue supporting Turkish Airlines and Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem as the carrier expands its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people with more destinations around the world,” Pope said.