Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flag carrier, has taken a bold step toward transforming its global fleet, confirming on September 26, 2025, a landmark order for up to 225 Boeing jets. This massive deal, which includes 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (50 firm and 25 options) and up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (100 firm and 50 options), marks one of the largest single commitments in the airline’s storied history. The announcement comes hot on the heels of a high-profile meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, a diplomatic encounter that many believe played a pivotal role in sealing the agreement.
According to Reuters, Turkish Airlines’ decision was unveiled just one day after the two leaders’ first face-to-face meeting since 2019. The timing is notable: Ankara has long sought to persuade Washington to lift sanctions that have prevented it from purchasing advanced American military hardware, including the coveted F-35 fighter jets. While the Boeing deal itself is commercial, it’s hard to ignore the broader political backdrop. President Trump, ahead of the talks, remarked that the Boeing order would be under discussion and even suggested he might lift sanctions on Turkey, provided certain conditions were met—chief among them, curbing Turkish purchases of Russian oil.
In a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange, Turkish Airlines detailed its ambitious procurement plan: 75 wide-body Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 models, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2034. The carrier also confirmed it had completed negotiations to buy 150 Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 MAX aircraft, though this portion of the deal remains contingent on finalizing engine supply agreements with CFM International. The airline is simultaneously in talks with Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace regarding engines, spare parts, and long-term maintenance services for the new Dreamliner fleet.
“This landmark agreement represents much more than fleet growth. It is a reflection of our leadership in the industry as well as our dedication to innovation and operational excellence,” said Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, as reported by Turkish Airlines and Boeing. “The addition of these advanced Boeing aircraft to our fleet will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also become a significant element supporting Turkish Airlines’ 2033 Vision of expanding our fleet to 800 aircraft.”
Boeing’s leadership was quick to celebrate the deal, too. Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated, “We are honored that Turkish Airlines has once again chosen the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX to power its future growth. As a proud partner to Türkiye and the Turkish aviation industry for 80 years, we look forward to continuing our support of Turkish Airlines as they expand operations and deliver exceptional experiences to their passengers.” According to Boeing, the order will support approximately 123,000 jobs across the United States and is part of a broader $2 billion investment in Türkiye’s aerospace supply chain, which has created nearly 5,000 jobs in the country.
The scale of Turkish Airlines’ ambitions is hard to overstate. The carrier, which boasted a fleet of 485 aircraft as of June 2025, aims to grow to more than 800 aircraft by 2033, according to its 2023-2033 strategic plan. The company’s vision is not just about numbers; it’s about modernizing its entire operation. “With these orders, our entire fleet aims to consist of new-generation aircraft by 2035, thereby strengthening operational efficiency and supporting an average annual growth rate of around 6%,” the company said in its Friday statement, as cited by Reuters and Daily Sabah.
This Boeing purchase is part of a much larger expansion strategy. In December 2023, Turkish Airlines placed an order for 355 Airbus aircraft, reflecting a pragmatic, multi-manufacturer approach. The airline also recently acquired a minority stake in Spain’s Air Europa, outlasting European competitors Lufthansa and Air France-KLM in its bid to boost global reach. The carrier has long operated one of the world’s largest flight networks, and its aggressive fleet expansion is designed to cement its position as a global aviation powerhouse.
The deal has been years in the making, with Turkish Airlines’ chairman having revealed details of the planned purchase as early as June 2024. The company began talks with manufacturers in May 2023, targeting the procurement of around 600 aircraft to fuel its ambitious growth targets. The new Boeing order, once fully executed, would double Turkish Airlines’ Boeing fleet, which already numbers over 200 jets, including 787-9s, 777s, 737 MAX, Next-Generation 737s, and 777 Freighters.
But the story doesn’t end with fleet numbers and delivery schedules. The political and economic context surrounding the order is both complex and consequential. The Erdogan-Trump meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was described by President Erdogan as having a “sincere, constructive and productive atmosphere.” However, he also cautioned, “resolving all problems in a single meeting is, of course, impossible.” The two leaders reportedly discussed not only the Boeing deal and sanctions relief but also regional issues such as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump is said to have urged Erdogan to stop buying oil from Russia and praised his role in paving the way for sanctions relief in Syria.
For Turkey, the hope is that this major commercial deal can help thaw relations with Washington and perhaps even open the door to rejoining the F-35 fighter jet program. The U.S. had previously barred Turkey from buying F-35s, citing concerns that Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems could compromise the security of U.S. military technology. Trump, for his part, hinted that a successful meeting with Erdogan could lead to the lifting of these sanctions, though no concrete commitments were made public.
Market reaction to the announcement was positive, with Turkish Airlines shares rising 0.15% to TL 328.75 in early Friday trade, as reported by Reuters. The deal is expected to have significant economic ripple effects, not only in Turkey but also across Boeing’s vast U.S. supply chain.
As Turkish Airlines looks ahead to 2033 and beyond, its strategy is clear: invest heavily in new-generation aircraft, expand its global footprint, and position itself as a leader in both operational efficiency and passenger experience. The recent Boeing order, coupled with earlier Airbus purchases and strategic investments in European carriers, signals a company determined not just to keep pace with the world’s biggest airlines, but to set the standard for the next decade of global aviation.
With negotiations still ongoing for engine supply and maintenance contracts, and the political winds in Washington subject to change, there are still hurdles to clear. But one thing is certain: Turkish Airlines’ latest move has firmly put it on the map as a major player in the future of international air travel.
