Boeing last published official Boeing 737 MAX list prices in 2019. They put the Boeing 737 MAX 7 as the cheapest variant at $99.7 million. Meanwhile, the largest variant, the MAX 10, had a list price of $134.9 million, according to Blackjet. As always, list prices are a reference point. Airlines buying multiple aircraft will get a substantially more favorable deal based on their relationship with Boeing and the size of their order. Most customers now pay 40 to 60% less than the list price.

There is much more behind this price than just a large discount. It shows Boeing is desperate to maintain its market share at a time when the 737 MAX’s principal rival, the Airbus A321neo, is experiencing greater success, even if that means sacrificing its profit margins.

How Boeing Aircraft Are Priced

Credit: Shutterstock

There are three types of pricing that airlines considering the Boeing 737 MAX 10 need to consider: list, transaction, and leasing. List prices are almost never what is actually paid. This publicly advertised price is only useful for comparing different variants and understanding the relative value that each aircraft could represent. Increases in price for aircraft of similar size also indicate the extent of the technological upgrades that have been instituted.

The true price paid by airlines is the transaction price. The airline and manufacturer will negotiate this behind closed doors between their buying and sales teams. Manufacturers will use volume discounts and incentives in the hope that their customers will make a larger order. Boeing must be particularly motivated to provide discounts to incentivize larger orders given that transactions have dropped to the $55 million to $75 million range, representing a 40% to 60% discount. This strategy has clearly had some success, given that there are currently over 1,400 firm orders for 737 MAX 10 aircraft.

The final way for airlines to access the 737 MAX 10 is through leasing deals, with airlines paying monthly or annually to operate an aircraft. Blackjet reports leasing has become far more popular over the last 50 years. Just 10% of aircraft were leased by airlines in the 1970s. The figure rose to 58% by the end of 2023. Leasing gives airlines greater flexibility. With the MAX 10 not yet certified, it’s impossible to know the exact lease prices. However, Blackjet reports that a new 737 MAX 8 is currently leasing for $400,000 a month.

Transaction Price Drops Have Helped Boeing To Secure Plenty Of Orders

Credit: Shutterstock

The MAX 10 is well positioned to capture a sizable market share once deliveries begin, given the enormous number of orders Boeing has secured. These will have been boosted by the cut transaction prices. Boeing has already secured over 1,400 firm orders and many more options.

The table below uses ch-aviation data to show the distribution of 737 MAX 10 orders:

United Airlines (165) and Ryanair (131) have made the most orders, likely benefiting from the largest discounts as a result. The same is likely true for the firm that will be the most prevalent 737 MAX 10 leasing company, Aviation Capital Group, which has made 50 orders. Carriers continue to increase the size of their order sheet. For example, Air India added 10 more MAX 10 firm orders at the Wings India 2026 event.

The Approaching Certification Will Prevent Further Transaction Price Reductions

Credit: Shutterstock

The 737 MAX 10 has not yet been delivered or started commercial operation because Boeing is still awaiting full type certification from the FAA. The manufacturer will be highly motivated to solve this issue. Flying 411 explains, “Airlines waiting on undelivered variants often renegotiate, take compensation, or shift orders to available models.”

Last month, Boeing’s newsroom reported that the MAX 10 had completed its final certification flight, following over 1,000 test flights and 2,000 hours in the sky. “Reaching this milestone is a huge testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire team,” said Chris Payne, vice president and general manager of 737 Development Programs. “Thank you to everyone who gave so much of themselves to get us here.”

The table below shows the specifications that the MAX 10 is expected to have once deliveries begin, making use of Boeing’s data:

The FAA agrees that MAX 10 certification is rapidly approaching, a characteristic shared by the far smaller MAX 7. However, the FAA is clear that the slow certification has not been Boeing’s responsibility, recently alleviated by a 35% to 40% increase in certification workflows. “A lot of our difficulties timely responding to Boeing wasn’t a resource challenge on the FAA. It was the fact that Boeing kept changing its priorities,” Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator, told Reuters. “Boeing has a much more clear line of sight on how we can respond to ​their certification needs.”

The Boeing 777X Also Has Substantially Reduced Transaction Prices

Credit: Shutterstock

Boeing has also boosted its Boeing 777Xorder sheet through generous transaction discounts. The list price for a Boeing 777-9 has historically been $442 million. The jet is commonly described as a $450 million airplane. However, the actual price is likely closer to $198 million. Factors such as the timing of the order, order volume, deal terms, and Boeing’s relationship with the buyer determine the exact price quoted.

The table below shows specifications for both variants of the 777X, making use of Boeing’s data:

These discounts have contributed to an astonishingly large order sheet given the ongoing issues facing the program and the fact that this aircraft remains uncertified. Boeing has currently received 646 firm orders, with 35 for the 777-8, 526 for the 777-9, and 85 for the 777-8F. The largest customer by far is Emirates with 270 orders. With less than half of that, Cathay Pacific is at 124. No other airline has more than 40 orders. Finally, Silk Way West Airlines has the smallest 777X firm order at just two jets.

Boeing has had some tension with Emirates over its 777X order. The carrier has confirmed it has no plans to take delivery of ten old 777X planes built before certification. These planes are already eight years old despite never having entered service, leading to concerns that they aren’t up to spec.

The Farnborough Air Show Demonstrated That 737 MAX Demand Is Firm

Credit: Shutterstock

One of the big winners at Farnborough International Airshow 2026was Boeing, using the famous industry event to secure some notable orders. A triumph for the 737 MAX 10 program was an order from SMBC Aviation Capital. The lessor ordered 100 737 MAXs, 60 of which were MAX 10s. This is the largest 737 MAX 10 order received from a lessor. The other 40 737 MAX planes ordered by SMBC Aviation Capital are 737 MAX 8. The order brings the combined number of jets owned, managed, and committed by the firm to 450.

As reported by Simple Flying’s Jake Hardiman, Boeing said, “lessors are increasingly looking to grow and diversify their single-aisle portfolios to provide airlines with more fuel-efficient jets capable of operating across a variety of route networks.”

SMBC also already owns 69 737 MAX jets. Outside of Boeing’s cutting-edge narrowbody family, the lessor also has 747 Boeing 737-800s and services another 82. Its 737-700 (one owned) and 737-900ER (two owned and two serviced) are significantly smaller. The lessor also has 777s and 787s in its wider portfolio. SMBC Aviation Capital CEO Peter Barrett said, “Our partnership with Boeing spans over two decades, and this order reflects market dynamics as our airline and investor customers look to upgauge to the 737 MAX 10.” The exact size of the discount offered in this transaction is unknown.