Boeing has now delivered 659 737 MAX aircraft, according to its latest official figures. This leaves over 4,000 unfilled orders. While a large number of aircraft have been delivered, just 13 airlines have taken more than ten planes so far, with around 60% of the total fleet belonging to just 15 airlines.

This begs the question, which is the largest operator of Boeing's latest generation narrowbody? We'll get to it shortly, but let's start with the fifth largest operator. Interestingly, just one of the top five operators by fleet size is based outside of North America.

5. Air Canada - Canada

Air Canada is one of just two of the top five Boeing 737 MAX operators to be located outside of the United States of America. According to data from ch-aviation.com, the airline has 31 Boeing 737 MAX planes, all from the MAX 8 variant. Accordingly, this gives the airline an outstanding order book of nine more MAX planes for a total fleet size of 40 airframes.

Air Canada 737 MAX 8.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

4. American Airlines - United States

American Airlines has 11 more MAX aircraft than Air Canada, giving it 42 MAX airplanes. Like Air Canada, all the planes come from the standard MAX 8 variant. The oldest MAX in the airline's fleet is almost four and a half years old. The airline was the first US carrier to reactivate the plane after the FAA reauthorized flights with the type.

Boeing 737 MAX, Booking, Differences
American was the first US carrier to resume MAX flights. Photo: Getty Images

3. The Ryanair Group - Ireland

While Ryanair's fleet is technically spread across three airlines, they all operate flights under the same flight designator for the main Ryanair airline. This airline is the only one in the top five to be situated outside North America, though Air Canada's 737 MAXs do venture to the UK.

Boeing, 737 MAX, 1 Year
Ryanair's Malta Air will be a fierce competitor for Wizz Malta. Photo: Getty Images

Two things make Ryanair slightly more interesting than the other airlines. Firstly, it is the only airline currently flying the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, a special high capacity version of the MAX 8 designed with an additional pair of emergency exits to facilitate carrying almost 200 passengers. Additionally, Ryanair stands out for how fast it has rocketed up the table. The airline didn't take its first MAX delivery until summer 2021.

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2. United Airlines - United States

Interestingly, United Airlines is the only airline in our top five that has thus far taken delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 9, the slightly larger sibling of the most popular 737 MAX 8. It is also the only airline with both currently in the fleet. The US carrier has 16 MAX 8s, accompanied by a further 30 MAX 9s, to give a total fleet size of 46 aircraft.

United MAX 8
United has a huge Boeing 737 MAX order. Photo: Jay Singh | Simple Flying

1. Southwest Airlines - Unites States

Leading the pack with 69 aircraft is the airline that inspired the Ryanair we know today, Southwest Airlines. All 69 of the airlines MAXs are from the -8 family. The airline is expecting 138 more -8s, while 234 have been allocated to the smaller yet-to-be-certified 737 MAX 7. ch-aviation.com lists a further 6 as unallocated to a specific MAX model.

Boeing 737 MAX, Top Operators, Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has the largest fleet of MAXs with 69 planes. Photo: Vincenzo Pace - Simple Flying

Have you flown on the Boeing 737 MAX? Let us know how you found it in the comments!