Summary

  • Boeing 737 MAX 10 is poised for certification and deliveries starting in late 2024 or 2025.
  • American Airlines doubles MAX 10 order book, planning for 115 to 190 MAX 10s.
  • United Airlines, faced with delays, is switching to Airbus jets.

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is expected to be certified soon, and the first deliveries are expected in late 2024 or early 2025. Boeing has already taken orders for hundreds of MAX 10s from US-based airlines and international airlines around the world. Boeing is now years behind schedule with the introduction of the MAX (something made worse by its ongoing MAX safety woes).

The MAX 10 will be the largest of the MAX family, with 188 to 204 seats (in second class) or a maximum of 230 seats. On the other hand, it will have the shortest distance of any 737 MAX variant, with a range of 3,100 nautical miles.

American Airlines

In March 2024, Boeing reported that American Airlines had doubled its 737 MAX order book to more than 150 airplanes. Among these MAX orders were 115 MAX 10 jets (which included a new order for 85 jets and a conversion of a previous order of 30 of the smaller MAX 8 variant). Additionally, Boeing announced American Airlines’ option to purchase 75 more MAX 10 jets in the future.

Boeing 737 MAX 10

Photo: Boeing

Notable MAX 10 customers:

Ordered:

Options:

American Airlines:

115

75

United Airlines (likely canceling):

227

200

Ryanair:

150

150

Delta Air Lines:

100

30

“Over the past decade, we have invested heavily to modernize and simplify our fleet, which is the largest and youngest among U.S. network carriers. These orders will continue to fuel our fleet with newer, more efficient aircraft so we can continue to deliver the best network and record-setting operational reliability for our customers.” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

This means that American Airlines is planning to purchase 115 to 190 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets to complement its fleet of MAX 8s. Together with other MAX variants, American Airlines increased its MAX order book from around 70 airliners to over 150. American Airlines is also ordering 25 787 Dreamliners.

United Airlines

Since 2022, the prospective MAX order book hasn’t been all roses and sunshine. In March 2024, Forbes reported that United Airlines was looking to purchase Airbus jets to replace its Boeing 737 MAX 10 orders, as deliveries have fallen five years behind schedule. United Airlines had ordered 277 MAX 10s, with options for another 200.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 10 flying above the clouds.

Photo: Boeing

In March 2024, it was also reported that United Airlines had removed the Boeing 737 MAX 10 from its fleet plan from this year until after 2025. It was also reported that United Airlines is purchasing over 50 Airbus A320neos.

Related

Delta CEO Confident In Boeing While Awaiting 737 MAX 10

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian remains firm on holding 100 orders for the Boeing 737-10 MAX

Ryanair

Ryanair is an ultra-low-cost European airline based in Ireland. The carrier has not only placed the largest order for the MAX 10, but according to Reuters in January 2024, it has “told Boeing that if any US customers refuse to take delivery of 737 MAX 10 aircraft, that it would buy them at the right price.'”

Ryanair Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan stated, “If Scott Kirby (CEO of United Airlines) doesn’t want to take his MAX 10s, then we’ll very happily take them at the right price.

A Boeing 737 MAX 10

Photo: James Arup | Shutterstock

As 2024 rolled around, Ryanair had already placed a massive order for up to 300 MAX 10s (of which 150 were firm orders). The first of these deliveries is due in 2027. Ryanair is planning to modernize its fleet to 210 MAX 8s and up to 300 MAX 10s.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is another major customer for the MAX 10 and is planning to purchase at least 100 of them. On its website, Delta states, “Delta will add 100 state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet, with options for 30 more. The aircraft, which will begin delivery in 2025...” However, this may be out of date as Reuters reported in March 2024 that Delta is now expecting its Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries to be delayed until 2027.

Boeing_MAX_10-1

Photo: Boeing

Related

Major Blow: United Airlines Tells Boeing To Stop Building MAX 10s And To Switch To MAX 9s

The latest announcement came after United had announced it was not expecting any deliveries of the type in coming years.

Boeing MAX 10 orders

Other airlines ordering the MAX 10 include Alaska Airlines, flydubai, VietJet Air, and others (although updates on the status of these orders are murky). According to Forbes, Alaska Airlines has no intention of dropping its MAX 10 orders and was ‘angry’ at United Airlines for doubting the airliner. Other airlines have been placing (often smaller) orders for the MAX 10. For example, in July 2024, Luxair placed an order for four MAX 10 airliners.

Boeing MAX 10 specs

Max seats:

230

Range:

3,100 nautical miles

Length:

143 feet 8 inches

Wingspan:

117 feet 10 inches

Powerplant:

LEAP-1B from CFM International

It is clear that if it wasn’t for all the delays and problems Boeing is experiencing, the MAX 10 would be a very popular aircraft. According to Boeing, the MAX 10 “Offers the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane; the 737-10 can carry up to 230 passengers and offers a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km).

Luxair Boeing 737 MAX 10

Photo: Boeing

In 2022, it was noted that the new MAX 10 could fulfill the requirements of several airlines and that some airlines had expressed interest in it. A couple of years later, it seems most airlines have remained committed to the MAX 10 with the notable exception of United Airlines.

Which other airline do you think could place an order for the MAX 10 once it has been recertified? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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