Turkish Airlines orders 15 additional 737 planes

Boeing and Turkish Airlines on Monday finalized an order for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s, valued at $1.6 billion. The order follows the announcement in May 2013 when the Turkish carrier placed the largest Boeing order in the airline's history for 50 737 MAXs and 20 Next-Generation 737s.

With Monday's announcement, Turkish Airlines has more than 100 unfilled orders for Boeing airplanes; 65 737 MAXs, more than 25 Next-Generation 737s and 20 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The Istanbul-based carrier currently operates a fleet of more than 100 Next-Generation 737s and 15 777-300ERs.

The 737 MAX has surpassed 2,000 orders from 41 customers. The plane incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an eight percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow's competition.

Turkish Airlines currently serves 254 cities in 106 countries around the world from its base at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.