TUI Fly Netherlands to swap 737 Max 8s for larger Max 10s in 2027

TUI Fly Netherlands plans to retire all six of its Boeing 737 Max 8 jets and replace them with the larger 737-10, according to the carrier's parent, TUI Group. Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to start in the first quarter of 2027, subject to certification.

The airline also intends to add a seventh 737-10 to its fleet, with the aim of increasing capacity on busy routes from the summer of 2027, TUI Airlines chief commercial officer Peter Glade said. The first 737-10 destined for the TUI Fly fleet is currently being built at Boeing's factory near Seattle, Glade noted. Once certified, he said, the aircraft would let the airline offer considerably more seats on its most in-demand routes.

TUI Group has a long history with the Max 10 variant. It became the first European operator to select the type in 2017, converting 18 of its existing Max 8 orders during that year's Paris air show.

At the time the Max was grounded worldwide in 2019, following two fatal crashes involving other airlines, TUI's Max 8 fleet numbered 15 aircraft. The years of delay that followed left TUI relying on leased aircraft to cover shortfalls in its schedule.

Late last year, the leisure operator said it had noted marked improvement in Boeing's delivery performance, according to the company.