In 2025, American aircraft manufacturer Boeing secured more commercial aircraft orders than its European rival Airbus. This happened for the first time since 2018. The success is a major step in Boeing's recovery after serious production and quality challenges.
Official company data shows Boeing recorded 1,175 gross orders in 2025. This totaled 1,173 net orders after cancellations and adjustments. This count beat Airbus which announced 1,000 gross orders from 57 customers and 889 net orders. By late December 2025, Boeing's commercial order backlog was 6,130 aircraft. This shows strong demand even with production limits.
Stephanie Pope, President of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), praised the team's work: "Our teams have done a fantastic job throughout 2025 to improve on-time aircraft deliveries of safe, high-quality aircraft."
The year brought progress for Boeing after major setbacks. The biggest was the in-flight incident with an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January 2024. That event exposed quality issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) then capped 737 MAX output at 38 aircraft per month. Regulators finally authorized an increase to 42 units per month in October 2025. Boeing plans to increase this number in 2026.
Aircraft Deliveries: Airbus Keeps the Lead
Boeing led in new aircraft orders, but Airbus led in deliveries. This metric impacts revenue and customer fleets most directly. Airbus handed over 793 commercial aircraft to 91 customers in 2025. This was a 4% increase over the previous year. Boeing delivered 600 aircraft. This was its highest total since 2018, when it delivered 806 jets. It still lagged behind its rival.
This gap shows the different challenges each manufacturer faced. Boeing focused on stabilizing processes, improving quality controls, and increasing production. The company rebounded from 2024. That year, a strike lasted over 50 days and disrupted most operations. Boeing had only 348 aircraft deliveries and 317 net orders then.
The Chinese Market Returns
Boeing resumed aircraft deliveries to Chinese airlines in 2025 which represented a major event. The company handed over 65 aircraft to Chinese carriers. China lifted its ban on Boeing aircraft at the end of 2023 after two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. These accidents claimed 346 lives and caused a global grounding.
Both manufacturers saw strong global demand for new aircraft. Airlines wanted to modernize fleets, travel recovered after the pandemic, and carriers needed fuel-efficient models. Narrowbody aircraft drove most orders and deliveries. These included the 737 MAX for Boeing and the A320neo family for Airbus.
Looking Ahead
Boeing's strong aircraft orders show growing airline confidence in its recovery. The company still works to close the delivery gap with Airbus. Both companies have large backlogs. Airbus ended the year with over 8,700 aircraft on order. Competition in 2026 will focus on production stability and supply chains. The companies must convert orders into timely handovers.
For Boeing, 2025 was a year of recovery. It proved the American manufacturer is again a strong force in the commercial aviation market after several hard years.
