Allegiant Air Buys Six More 737-8s From Boeing

Allegiant Air has purchased additional Boeing 737-8s to expand its single-aisle programme.

The decision includes six additional jets from a contract option package, which Allegiant has exercised, with deliveries scheduled for 2028.

Allegiant Air’s move increases the firm commitment under the purchase agreement to 56 jets. It highlights the importance of airlines including options in their contracts to make future additions easier to organise.

The airline signed the supplement agreements with Boeing on 19 October 2026 and disclosed the transaction on 23 October 2026; this adds the first six purchase options to the firm order book from a deal signed in 2021.

Boeing says 56 aircraft committed to by Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air had already received 22 aircraft from Boeing at the time of the latest purchase agreement, so while the commitment has hit 56 aircraft, it now leaves 34 firm aircraft awaiting delivery, up from 28 previously.

Critically, Allegiant Air may not be done with its future additions, as the business still holds a considerable number of purchase options that account for 74 aircraft and, while separate from the firm commitment, are always available.

The six newly ordered aircraft by Allegiant Air have a combined list price exceeding USD 700 million, but because of the strong ties between the plane maker and the airline, and because list prices are rarely paid, discounts were applied.

Allegiant continues the switch to Boeing

Allegiant’s addition of the Boeing 737 MAX marked a pivotal shift away from its long-standing reliance on single-aisle airframes, with Airbus instead.

When the airline first announced the order, it operated more than 100 Airbus A320 family jets, including the A319 and A320. The Boeing component of the contract was intended to support fleet replacement and growth, with the 737 MAX seen as the ideal platform.

Unfortunately, like many other 737 MAX customers, deliveries from Boeing soon after the order was placed fell behind schedule, frustrating Allegiant as its renewal was significantly impacted and growth plans stalled.

Initially, Allegiant Air expected to take delivery of the first aircraft in 2023. By the end of 2025, Allegiant expected to have handed over all 50 of its firm deliveries, but that didn’t happen; the first jet arrived in the back half of 2024 and entered passenger service in October 2024.

Over time, Allegiant has continued to take deliveries of 737 MAX jets. In late 2024, after the first delivery and delays, it amended the handovers, pushing deliveries from the existing order through to the end of 2027; this move helped offset the delays.

The latest deal with Allegiant now ensures fleet renewal efforts will continue into at least 2028, with the 737 MAX delivering considerable fuel savings over the older A320ceo family jets that previously led the business.