Dublin, July 26 - Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline by passenger numbers, is poised to enhance its fleet with the introduction of the Boeing 737 MAX 10, with the first deliveries expected in spring 2027. Michael O’Leary, the outspoken Group CEO of Ryanair, has expressed strong confidence in Boeing’s ability to meet this timeline, citing written assurances from Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope. This development follows a period of uncertainty surrounding Boeing’s production schedules, driven by regulatory scrutiny and supply chain challenges, but recent improvements in Boeing’s manufacturing processes have bolstered optimism. The commitment to deliver the initial batch of 15 MAX 10s in time for the peak summer travel season of 2027 marks a significant step in Ryanair’s ambitious growth strategy, which aims to expand its annual passenger numbers to 300 million by 2034.
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The Boeing 737 MAX 10, the largest variant in the 737 MAX family, is a cornerstone of Ryanair’s plans to drive down unit costs and maintain its competitive edge in the European short-haul market. With a capacity of up to 230 seats, the MAX 10 offers 21% more seats than Ryanair’s current Boeing 737NG aircraft, while burning 20% less fuel and producing 50% less noise. These efficiencies align with Ryanair’s low-cost model, enabling the airline to offer lower fares while expanding capacity. O’Leary has emphasized that the MAX 10s will “transform Ryanair’s economics,” further widening the cost gap between Ryanair and its competitors. The airline has placed a firm order for 150 MAX 10s, with options for an additional 150, in a deal valued at over $40 billion at list prices, though Ryanair likely secured significant discounts as Boeing’s largest European customer.
Boeing’s path to delivering the MAX 10 has not been without hurdles. The aircraft’s certification, critical for its entry into service, is expected in late 2025, following the certification of the smaller MAX 7. Delays in the certification process, compounded by production issues and a January 2024 incident involving a MAX 9, had previously raised concerns about Boeing’s ability to meet delivery timelines. However, O’Leary has praised the leadership of Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and Stephanie Pope for implementing stricter quality controls. Notably, Boeing has ensured that aircraft hulls produced in Wichita are defect-free before being sent to Seattle for final assembly, significantly improving production efficiency. Ryanair no longer stations engineers in Wichita, a testament to the enhanced quality of Boeing’s output. In addition to the MAX 10s, Ryanair has agreed to take delivery of 29 delayed 737-8-200s, also known as MAX 8-200s, ahead of the summer 2026 season. These high-density aircraft, already a staple in Ryanair’s fleet of 618 aircraft, will help the airline recover delayed traffic growth caused by earlier delivery setbacks. Despite these challenges, Ryanair reported a record 200 million passengers in its 2025 fiscal year, though ongoing delivery delays have constrained growth, with the airline revising its 2026 passenger target from 215 million to 210 million. O’Leary remains cautiously optimistic, noting that five MAX 8-200s are expected to arrive earlier than anticipated in 2025, signaling Boeing’s improving delivery performance.
The potential imposition of U.S. tariffs on aircraft exports poses a risk to Ryanair’s plans, but O’Leary believes Boeing would absorb any additional costs due to fixed-price agreements. He also suggested that Ryanair could delay deliveries or route them through its UK subsidiary, covered by a U.S.-UK trade deal, to mitigate tariff impacts. The airline’s confidence in Boeing is further evidenced by its decision not to switch its MAX 10 orders to additional MAX 8-200s, a contingency plan it had considered if certification delays persisted. Ryanair’s current fleet includes 395 Boeing 737-800s, 176 MAX 8-200s, and 26 Airbus A320s operated by its Lauda Europe subsidiary, but the MAX 10 is seen as the “gamechanger” for future growth. Ryanair’s optimism extends beyond fleet expansion. The airline more than doubled its net profit to €820 million in the April-June 2025 quarter, driven by strong demand and favorable Easter timing. However, O’Leary has warned that external factors, such as European air traffic control inefficiencies and geopolitical tensions, could impact performance. Despite these challenges, Ryanair’s strategic focus on fuel-efficient, high-capacity aircraft like the MAX 10 positions it to capitalize on rising travel demand and maintain its dominance in the European low-cost market. As Boeing works toward certification and delivery milestones, Ryanair’s partnership with the U.S. manufacturer remains a cornerstone of its long-term vision.