March 12, 2026 — Boeing 737 MAX orders are skyrocketing among US airlines, led by Alaska Airlines’ record order announced on January 7 for 105 firm Boeing 737-10 aircraft, with options for 35 more, elevating its total 737 MAX backlog to 174 planes alongside five 787 Dreamliners.
The deal underscores strong airline confidence in the MAX family despite certification delays for variants like the MAX 10, as reported by aviation analysts. Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said,
This fleet investment builds on the strong foundation Alaska has created to support steady, scalable and sustained growth… These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel-efficient and state-of-the-art aircraft.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope added,
This is a historic airplane order… All of us at Boeing are proud of Alaska’s success and are honored they have placed their trust in our people and our 737 and 787 airplanes to help grow their airline.
Other Major US Carriers
Boeing 737 MAX orders are skyrocketing among US airlines beyond Alaska, with Southwest Airlines holding a backlog of 765 aircraft, primarily MAX 7 and MAX 8 models, though no deliveries are expected in 2026 due to certification issues. United Airlines maintains 514 MAX orders across variants and recently introduced its first Guam-based MAX 8 for routes to Tokyo Narita and others. United stated,
We are delighted that our first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft… has officially touched down in Guam… surprising and delighting our customers.
Overall backlogs include American Airlines at 219 MAX orders, Delta Air Lines with 100 MAX 10s, and Allegiant Air at 50.
Driving Factors
Analyses attribute the surge to the MAX’s fuel-efficient LEAP engines and winglets, enabling cost savings on transcontinental routes and potentially short transatlantic flights. Boeing 737 MAX orders are skyrocketing among US airlines amid robust domestic demand, fleet renewal cycles, Airbus backlogs into the 2030s, and Boeing’s production ramp-up to 42 planes monthly in 2026. The MAX 10 offers lower per-seat costs than competitors like the A321neo.
Production and Deliveries
Boeing delivered 51 aircraft in February 2026, its strongest February since 2018, driven by MAX recovery amid FAA oversight. Boeing 737 MAX orders are skyrocketing among US airlines as production stabilizes.
No major commercial plane crashes were reported in the US today, though small private aircraft incidents persist, such as the March 7 Gulf Shores Beechcraft Bonanza crash that killed two.
