Norwegian orders 30 more Boeing 737 MAX jets as it builds growth momentum
September 26, 2025
Norwegian Air Shuttle has placed a fresh order for 30 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, reflecting the Scandinavian carrier’s post-COVID financial recovery and confirming its long-term all-Boeing fleet strategy.
A recovered Norwegian exercises its Boeing 737 MAX options
The agreement, announced jointly by Boeing and Norwegian on Friday, represents the airline’s first direct Boeing order since 2017. The order is made by exercising previously held options; in 2022, Norwegian had committed to 50 737-8s (with options for 30 additional aircraft). The conversion of options to orders lifts the airline’s total 737 MAX backlog to 80 jets.
“This milestone aircraft order is on attractive terms and secures our fleet growth in a way that supports our planned growth and sustainability targets. By exercising the option and adjusting the delivery profile, we maintain flexibility while reinforcing our commitment to operating one of the most modern and fuel-efficient fleets in Europe,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian. “These aircraft will not only lower emissions but also provide our customers with an even better travel experience. We are pleased to extend our solid long-term partnership with Boeing through this order.”
Boeing executives credited Norwegian for its post-COVID turnaround and highlighted the airline’s long relationship with the 737 family.
“Norwegian’s impressive performance over the past few years has demonstrated the strength of their network, business model and strategy. Today’s agreement for an additional 30 737-8s will support their ambition to be the airline of choice in Scandinavia, providing flexibility to expand across Europe and beyond,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Norwegian has been a great partner to the 737 program, having placed over 200 orders for the 737 NG and MAX since 2007. We are honoured that Norwegian continues to place its trust in our 737 team to grow its business.”
A green Norwegian fleet
The 737-8, which seats up to 200 passengers and has a range of 3,500 nautical miles, is designed to reduce fuel use and emissions by approximately 20% compared to the aircraft it replaces. Norwegian has been a pioneer operator of the type in Europe, becoming the first airline on the continent to take delivery of a 737 MAX in 2017 and even flying the aircraft on early transatlantic routes.
The new order comes as the airline seeks to strengthen its position in Scandinavia and across Europe. Norwegian currently operates a fleet of 86 Boeing 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s, and last year carried 22.6 million passengers.
Norwegian’s post-COVID financial turnaround
The fleet expansion reflects growing confidence at an airline that only three years ago was still emerging from a pandemic-era restructuring.
Norwegian posted strong second-quarter results in 2025, with revenues of NOK 10.3 billion ($930 million), representing a 10% increase from the same period in 2024. The airline’s operating profit reached NOK 1.25 billion ($113 million), exceeding market expectations.
Strong summer demand, high load factors, and an ongoing focus on cost control all contributed to the airline’s financial momentum. On the back of those results, the company declared its first-ever dividend of NOK 0.90 per share ($0.08).
Norwegian ownership changes and fleet moves
The Norwegian government, which had taken a stake in the airline as part of its pandemic rescue package, sold its remaining 6.26% holding in June for about NOK 892 million ($85 million), marking a full exit from ownership.
The carrier has also moved to take more control of its fleet by purchasing 10 leased Boeing 737-800s this March to reduce its long-term leasing costs.
At the same time, Norwegian has expanded through the acquisition of Widerøe, Norway’s largest regional airline, in 2024. The purchase gave the low-cost carrier a more substantial domestic presence and more feed into its mainline European network.
Norwegian’s renewed commitment to Boeing’s 737 MAX program also reflects a competitive push in Europe, where low-cost rivals such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet are all modernising their fleets.
For Boeing, the order is a boost in a region where Airbus has traditionally been dominant, particularly with the A320neo family.
