EVERETT — Amid a reported record of orders in Boeing’s backlog, the aerospace company announced Wednesday it received 140 more for its largest single-aisle plane.
Avolon finalized its purchase of 737 MAX 10 planes, increasing the global aviation finance company’s backlog to 240 unfilled orders — a record 737 MAX order by a lessor, or a company that leases its property to another, according to a press release.
“We continue to see strong demand for new technology aircraft, and this order further strengthens our long-term delivery pipeline,” said Avolon CEO Andy Cronin in the release. “The 737-10 combines outstanding economics with the capacity airlines increasingly require, making it one of the most attractive aircraft in its class.”
This comes as Boeing works to stabilize its 737 production line and fill the commercial airplane division’s backlog of more than 6,300 planes, totalling $612 billion, according to the company’s third-quarter earnings presentation.
After an almost decade-long wait, the Federal Aviation Administration certified the 737 MAX 10 on Oct. 20, clearing the way for Boeing to start deliveries.
The variant can seat up to 230 passengers and has a range of 3,100 nautical miles, the release said.
Everett’s production line rolled out its first MAX 10 six days after certification. The Everett line, also known as the North Line, produces the 737 MAX 8, 9 and 10, aside from the wings, which are produced at the Renton site and transported to Everett for final assembly.
In September, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the 737 MAX line is taking “a little bit longer” to stabilize than anticipated.
To get to the company’s production goal of 52 planes a month, Ortberg said during the October earnings call Boeing needs to get the North Line certified and producing and stabilize wing production. After the wings, the company can focus on fuselage production, which is done in Kansas.
In 2026, Lessors put in more than 230 firm orders for the MAX 10 variant of Boeing’s most popular plane family, the release said. Bringing the total to five times higher than the lessor backlog from the end of 2025.
In total, lessors have more than 1,450 737 MAX planes, adding up to around 20% of Boeing’s backlog, the release said. Over the next 20 years, Boeing wrote in the release that a 4% projected increase in annual passenger traffic will push lessors to broaden their single-aisle fleet.
The 737 planes finds itself in many lessors’ portfolios, representing approximately 30% of all financed airplanes, the release said.
“As long-term travel demand is expected to remain strong, we stand ready to support lessors expanding their single-aisle portfolios with fuel-efficient jets that can operate across diverse route networks,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, in the release.
Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan
