Boeing Overtakes Airbus on Aircraft Orders in 2025 After Seven-Year Slump

Boeing outsold Airbus on new aircraft orders in 2025, marking the US plane maker’s first annual lead over its European rival in seven years, as Washington intensified efforts to promote American manufacturing abroad.

Boeing reported a strong rebound in commercial aviation performance last year, delivering 600 aircraft, its highest annual total since 2018. The figure included 63 deliveries in December alone, signalling steady progress in restoring production capacity following years of disruption.

According to the company, the 2025 delivery tally reflects improved operational stability after a prolonged period marked by safety crises, regulatory scrutiny, and supply chain constraints.

Boeing’s output had been sharply curtailed following two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, followed by a January 2024 incident in which a door plug detached mid-flight on a separate aircraft. The Covid-19 pandemic further compounded production challenges across the global aerospace industry, affecting both Boeing and Airbus.

Company data shows that of Boeing’s 600 deliveries in 2025, 447 were 737-series jets, the backbone of many airlines’ single-aisle fleets. The remainder included wide-body aircraft such as the 767, 777, and 787 models.

Boeing also ended the year with 1,173 net new aircraft orders, reflecting renewed airline confidence in its manufacturing reliability and product portfolio.

By comparison, Airbus reported delivering 793 commercial aircraft to 91 customers in 2025. The European manufacturer recorded 1,000 gross orders, translating to 889 net orders after cancellations, according to its January statement.

Airbus highlighted a backlog of more than 8,750 aircraft, underlining sustained long-term demand despite ongoing production constraints, particularly for components tied to its A320 family. Deliveries of A220, A330neo, and A350 aircraft also contributed to its overall performance.

While Airbus maintained its lead in total aircraft handovers, Boeing’s order figures suggest a potential turning point for the US manufacturer after years of turbulence.

Political Tailwinds Boost Boeing Orders

Boeing’s resurgence has been reinforced by high-profile export deals promoted by the administration of Donald Trump, which has placed aircraft sales at the centre of its trade and manufacturing agenda.

During a May 2025 visit to Qatar, the White House publicised a Qatar Airways commitment valued at $96 billion (€82.35 billion) for up to 210 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft. The administration framed the agreement as a significant boost for US jobs and exports.

Qatar Airways separately described the transaction as the largest wide-body and largest 787 order in Boeing’s history.

Boeing executives have publicly credited the Trump administration for supporting export-driven deals. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg thanked the president for backing the Qatar agreement, highlighting Boeing’s role as one of America’s largest exporters and industrial employers.