Singapore Airlines To Retire Boeing 737

Singapore Airlines is continuing with restructuring efforts. It plans to axe its Boeing 737-800 fleet by early 2026.

The move, revealed by the airline in its annual results, shows that the remaining 737-800s in its fleet will be retired when their lease concludes.

Fleet data indicates that the Singapore-based carrier only has four more 737-800s, which are an average of 9.8 years old.

These four aircraft were also all acquired on leases from Deucalion Aviation; however, their leases are coming to an end, and they were not necessarily aircraft directly taken on by Singapore Airlines.

Instead, the airline acquired the 737-800s due to merging with SilkAir, a smaller operator focusing on more regional flying. Thus, Singapore Airlines began using single-aisle jets.

As the 737-800s depart, the reliance on single-aisle planes isn’t expected to disappear, as Singapore Airlines still believes there’s a place for shorter international flights across Asia that require a smaller plane.

Instead, Singapore Airlines will elevate the importance of the 737 MAX, the next-generation single-aisle jet replacing the 737-800s.

The carrier already has 16 737 MAXs, all for the 737-8. According to fleet data published on May 16, 2025, 15 planes are in the air, and one is listed as parked.

Singapore Airlines Fleet Renewal

The retirement of the 737-800 part of the 737NG aligns with a continued renewal effort across the Group, whether for the mainline or low-cost division in Scoot.

Additional aircraft deliveries are planned; however, Singapore Airlines has encountered challenges in renewal efforts because of the many complications that have hit the global aviation industry.

Before the emergence of supply chain constraints, the 737 MAX was grounded, which affected the ability to deliver planes. Then, a global pandemic hit, and airlines prioritised survival rather than fleet growth.

As supply chain challenges mean output rates have dropped, there is certainly demand for new aircraft, but airlines’ ability to take these planes into their business on time is another challenge.