SMBC orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets

On July 20, 2026, Boeing (BA) and SMBC Aviation Capital announced a firm order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. The transaction, unveiled in Farnborough, United Kingdom, consists of 60 737-10 aircraft and 40 737-8 jets, expanding SMBC’s position as a major customer for the 737 MAX family. This new commitment increases SMBC’s owned, managed and committed 737 MAX portfolio to 450 aircraft.

The order marks SMBC Aviation Capital’s first purchase of the 737-10, the highest-capacity member of the 737 MAX family. Executives from both companies framed the deal as a response to sustained airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft that can support growth plans over the coming years.

The 737-10 in the order is described as having the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane. It can seat up to 230 passengers and has a range of 3,100 nautical miles, or 5,740 kilometers, enabling airlines to operate high-capacity services across a wide range of routes. The inclusion of 40 737-8 jets alongside the 60 737-10s gives SMBC a mix of capacities within the same aircraft family for its airline customers.

SMBC Aviation Capital’s CEO Peter Barrett said the transaction represents a significant milestone for the company. He noted that the order will provide airline customers with a long-term pipeline of new-technology aircraft and will support their growth ambitions well into the next decade. The mix of variants is intended to allow airlines to upgauge where needed while remaining within a common fleet platform.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope said the commitment, including SMBC’s first 737-10 order, reflects strong demand for the 737 MAX family’s efficiency, reliability and versatility. The announcement cited industry forecasts that global passenger traffic will grow 4% annually over the next two decades. Against this backdrop, lessors are described as seeking to grow and diversify their single-aisle portfolios with more fuel-efficient models.

Lessors have ordered more than 1,450 737 MAX jets, representing 20% of the 737 MAX backlog. This underlines the role of leasing companies as a significant channel for airlines to access new-technology narrowbody aircraft. SMBC’s additional 100-aircraft order reinforces that trend and further deepens its engagement with the 737 MAX program.

SMBC Aviation Capital is described as a leading global aviation finance platform, servicing a fleet of 1,700 aircraft with more than 170 airlines worldwide. The company benefits from the backing of shareholders Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corporation. Its owned portfolio comprises 80% new-technology aircraft by net book value, underlining a focus on modern, fuel-efficient equipment.

By expanding its 737 MAX portfolio to 450 jets, SMBC strengthens its ability to offer airlines access to one of the key single-aisle families on the market. The latest order supports both airlines seeking to renew fleets with more efficient aircraft and those aiming to add capacity to meet anticipated traffic growth over the coming years.