When Does Ryanair Receive Their Boeing 737 MAX 10 Aircraft?
By The Aviation Hub
4 min read
Updated September 27, 2026 
Ryanair will receive its first Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in spring 2027.
Chief Executive Michael O’Leary confirmed the timeline on 23 September 2026, telling Reuters that the airline group expects an initial batch of 15 aircraft during the second quarter of the year.
The update finally puts a date on one of the most significant narrowbody orders in European aviation.
It also marks the next major step in a fleet strategy that has relied on Boeing for more than three decades.
Ryanair Confirms Spring 2027 Delivery Window
According to O’Leary, the first 15 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets will arrive in the second quarter of 2027, as reported by ch-aviation.
As a result, the airline could deploy its new jets during the peak summer 2027 schedule, when demand across its European network is at its highest.
However, the carrier has not yet published a detailed delivery schedule beyond that first batch.
Further aircraft will follow in stages, and Ryanair will likely confirm the phasing closer to entry into service.
Boeing Nears Certification of the MAX 10
The timeline depends on one crucial milestone.
Boeing still needs to secure certification for the 737 MAX 10, the largest member of the MAX family.
Encouragingly, O’Leary indicated that certification should conclude in the coming weeks.
That progress has been a long time coming.
When the Irish group placed its order in 2023, Boeing expected the MAX 10 to enter service in 2024.
Instead, the programme slipped by several years as the manufacturer faced intense regulatory scrutiny.
Despite those setbacks, Ryanair always planned its first deliveries for 2027.
Consequently, its own schedule has remained largely intact even as Boeing’s certification target moved further back.
A Landmark Order From May 2023
Ryanair Holdings signed for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in May 2023.
In addition, the group secured options on a further 150 jets, which could take the total to 300 aircraft.
At the time, the airline explained that roughly half of the firm order would replace its ageing Boeing 737-800 fleet.
Meanwhile, the remaining 75 aircraft would support growth, with the group targeting more than 300 million annual passengers by 2034.
O’Leary also highlighted the wider economic impact of the deal.
“This order will create 10,000 new jobs for highly paid aviation professionals over the next decade,” he said.
Why the MAX 10 Matters to Ryanair
The order represented a notable shift in thinking.
Since the early 1990s, the airline has favoured a simple fleet built around a single Boeing type.
It flew the 737-200 until 1999 before moving to the 737-800, and it only briefly operated the 737-300 between 2003 and 2004.
Later, the arrival of the 737-8-200 in 2021 added a second modern variant.
The MAX 10 now takes that evolution a step further.
The aircraft will seat up to 228 passengers in Ryanair’s configuration.
Therefore, it will offer more seats per departure than any jet the group currently operates, while also burning less fuel per seat.
For a carrier built on low unit costs, that combination is extremely valuable.
How the Aircraft Fits Into Ryanair’s Current Fleet
Today, Ryanair Holdings operates through several airlines, including Ryanair, Malta Air, Buzz, Ryanair UK and Lauda Europe.
The group fleet includes 410 Boeing 737-800s and 210 Boeing 737-8-200s.
In addition, Lauda Europe flies 26 Airbus A320s, while Buzz operates a single Boeing 737-700.
The comparison with 2023 shows how quickly the group has grown.
At the time of the MAX 10 order, it operated 397 Boeing 737-800s and 103 Boeing 737-8-200s.
Since then, the fleet has absorbed more than 100 additional 737-8-200 deliveries.
As the MAX 10 arrives, it will gradually replace the oldest 737-800s.
Furthermore, it will provide the extra capacity the airline needs to push towards its long term passenger targets.
What Comes Next for Ryanair and Boeing
For now, all eyes remain on Boeing and the certification process.
If regulators approve the aircraft as expected, Ryanair will begin preparing crews, engineers and airports for the new type ahead of the spring 2027 handover.
Ultimately, the arrival of the first 15 aircraft will mark the start of a new chapter for Europe’s largest airline group.
The Aviation Hub will continue to follow the programme closely as Ryanair edges closer to its first MAX 10 delivery.
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