Lufthansa Exercised Options for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 10s
In September 2026, the airline expanded its order to include more fuel-efficient aircraft for its future fleet.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Air Travel
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Lufthansa exercised purchase options for 20 additional Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in September 2026. This order brings the carrier's total Boeing 737 MAX commitment to 60 units, including 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 models ordered in 2023.
Why it matters
The new aircraft will replace older Airbus A320 family jets, as the 737 MAX 10 provides a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption. This transition supports the airline's broader strategy to modernize its fleet with more efficient, lower-emission technology.
The 20 additional 737 MAX 10 aircraft carry a list value of $3.4 billion. These planes are expected to join the fleet from the early 2030s as part of a larger plan to take delivery of over 250 new aircraft by 2035.
The players
Lufthansa
This German flag carrier is one of the world's largest airlines and a founding member of the Star Alliance.
Boeing
This American multinational corporation is one of the world's largest aerospace and defense manufacturers.
The details
Lufthansa retired its previous fleet of Boeing 737s in 2016 after operating 148 such aircraft over six decades. While the MAX 10 model is currently uncertified, Boeing concluded its test-flight campaign for the aircraft in late July 2026.
Timeline
Lufthansa introduced the Boeing 737-100 in 1967.
The airline retired its Boeing 737 fleet in 2016.
Lufthansa placed an initial order for 40 MAX 8s in 2023.
Boeing finished the MAX 10 test-flight campaign in July 2026.
Lufthansa exercised options for 20 additional MAX 10s in September 2026.
Roadmap
This order signifies a return to the Boeing 737 platform for Lufthansa, which had moved entirely away from the narrowbody series in 2016. By integrating the MAX 10, the airline is positioning itself to leverage lower operating costs against competitors relying on older, less efficient narrowbody fleets.
Travelers should anticipate seeing these new, more fuel-efficient jets entering the Lufthansa route network starting in the early 2030s. The long lead time for these deliveries means passengers will continue to fly on the airline's current Airbus fleet for the remainder of the decade.
The takeaway
Lufthansa's latest investment emphasizes a pivot toward modern narrowbody aircraft that prioritize fuel efficiency to offset operational expenses. Passengers can expect fleet modernization to become a central theme for major carriers as they retire older, less economical jets over the next decade.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving composition of international fleets, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
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