Lufthansa Takes Big Bet on Boeing with 737 MAX 10 Order

Lufthansa, one of Europe's largest airlines, has ordered 20 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft to replace its older Airbus A320-family jets. The list value for these planes is approximately $3.4 billion, with deliveries expected in the early 2030s.

This decision marks a significant shift for Lufthansa, which has traditionally been an Airbus customer. However, the airline notes that it still has a large Airbus backlog and expects to take over 250 new aircraft from the company by 2035.

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest variant of the MAX family, offering improved fuel efficiency and lower unit costs compared to its predecessors. Lufthansa estimates that the MAX 10 will be around 30% more fuel-efficient and have 20% lower unit costs than the aircraft it replaces.

The airline's decision to choose the MAX 10 over the smaller MAX 8 variant is driven by the need for increased capacity at slot-constrained European hubs. The larger plane can carry more passengers per departure, making it a more attractive option for Lufthansa's operations.