Airbus Overtakes Boeing in Jetliner Deliveries With 12,260 A320s

Airbus has become the manufacturer of the most-delivered jetliner in aviation history, surpassing Boeing’s long-held record after the handover of an A320neo aircraft to Saudi carrier Flynas. The delivery, confirmed by UK-based aviation analytics firm Cirium, brought total deliveries of the A320 family to 12,260 units since its entry into service in 1988.

Boeing has delivered slightly fewer than 12,260 aircraft from its 737 family, according to Cirium, though the company has not disclosed an exact figure.

“This milestone represents a turning point in the commercial aviation landscape”, said Rob Morris, Global Director of Consultancy at Ascend, Cirium. “The A320 family’s consistent production, strong customer base, and adaptability to evolving airline needs have allowed it to surpass the 737.”

The record highlights four decades of competition between Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body aircraft market, with both manufacturers delivering over 25,000 jets in this category. Originally designed for hub-based operations, single-aisle jets later became the backbone of global aviation and gained strong demand from low-cost carriers.

Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, launched the A320 program in 1984, with its first flight in 1987. The aircraft introduced fly-by-wire technology, replacing mechanical control cables with computer-assisted flight systems. “Introducing fly-by-wire was a calculated risk. It modernized cockpit design and changed how pilots interacted with aircraft systems,” an Airbus engineer told Reuters.

Boeing, which introduced the 737 in the late 1960s, long set the standard for narrow-body production. Its dominance was challenged in recent years after two fatal 737 MAX accidents in 2018 and 2019 led to regulatory scrutiny and production delays. Boeing has since worked under close oversight from US regulators to gradually restore output.