Boeing Trails Airbus as Jet Deliveries Hit 493 in 2025

Boeing reported delivering 53 aircraft in October, bringing its total deliveries for 2025 to 493 jets.  Meanwhile, Airbus maintained its lead in the global delivery race, handing over 78 aircraft during the same month and reaching 585 deliveries so far this year.

Boeing also confirmed 15 new orders in October, signaling continued demand for its commercial models—particularly the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner—and marking steady progress toward what could be its strongest annual total since 2018.

“We delivered 39 737 MAX aircraft in October, including nine to Southwest Airlines and five to Ryanair,” Boeing said. The company also delivered one 737 Next Generation jet for conversion into a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft for the US Navy, along with 13 widebody jets: seven 787 Dreamliners, two 777 freighters, and four 767s.

Boeing remains on track for its highest annual delivery total since 2018, when it shipped 806 aircraft—a record year before the grounding of the 737 MAX and subsequent safety and quality crises following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company’s commercial division “continues to prioritize production quality improvements throughout 2025.”

Federal regulators recently authorized Boeing to raise its 737 production rate from 38 to 42 jets per month. Despite this progress, Boeing continues to trail Airbus, which has delivered 585 aircraft in the first ten months of the year.

October was relatively quiet for Boeing’s order activity. It logged 15 gross orders—eight 737s and seven 787s—but also recorded cancellations for seven 737s, leaving a net total of eight new orders. The 787 Dreamliner program continues to see strong demand, with 320 orders so far this year, the second-highest annual total in the model’s history after 369 orders in 2007. Boeing is expanding its South Carolina production facilities to meet demand, with two Central Asian airlines recently announcing new 787 purchase plans.

Through October, Boeing has secured 782 net orders in 2025 after accounting for cancellations and conversions, reflecting a steady recovery in global commercial aviation demand.

Meanwhile, Airbus continues to lead the global delivery race. The European manufacturer delivered 78 aircraft in October, bringing its total to 585 for 2025. Airbus aims to deliver around 820 commercial aircraft by year-end, requiring approximately 235 additional deliveries in the final two months. The company’s October deliveries included 522 single-aisle jets from the A220 and A320 families and 63 widebody aircraft from the A330 and A350 lines.

Airbus also recorded 112 gross orders in October, bringing its total to 722 for 2025, with 625 net orders after cancellations. The manufacturer expects to achieve an adjusted EBIT of about €7 billion and free cash flow before customer financing of €4.5 billion for the year.

Airbus faced early-year setbacks in its delivery schedule, averaging 45 aircraft per month in the first quarter and 56 in the second, mainly due to delays from engine suppliers. According to Reuters, more than 60 completed Airbus aircraft are waiting for engines from Pratt & Whitney or CFM before delivery. These unfinished planes—often referred to as “gliders”—represent a significant share of the company’s current delivery backlog.

Despite ongoing supply chain challenges, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury told CNBC the company remains confident in meeting its 2025 delivery goal. “All our attention will be on engine deliveries from both CFM and Pratt & Whitney, but they’re telling us that they will be able to deliver what we need,” Faury said. “So we remain positive for the back end of the year.”