June 2025 – Boeing’s commercial aircraft orders have climbed to their highest level in more than 18 months, as global air travel continues to rebound sharply post-pandemic. The U.S. aerospace giant has recorded 512 aircraft orders so far this year, significantly outpacing its European rival Airbus, which has logged 215 orders over the same period.
Boeing’s order book was notably strengthened by a record-setting deal with Qatar Airways for up to 210 widebody aircraft, including 120 787 Dreamliners and 30 777-9 jets. This agreement represents the largest widebody order in Boeing’s history and played a key role in the manufacturer securing 303 gross orders in May alone—the highest monthly total since December 2023.
As of the end of May, Boeing’s net orders for the year stood at 606, raising its total order backlog to 5,943 aircraft, an increase of 300 compared to April.
Aircraft deliveries also saw a marked increase. Boeing delivered 45 aircraft in May, nearly doubling its May 2024 total of 24 deliveries. These handovers are critical to the company’s cash flow, as a significant portion of aircraft payments are made upon delivery.
Looking ahead, additional deals are expected at the upcoming Paris Air Show, where Boeing and Airbus traditionally compete for high-profile sales announcements.
Production Constraints and Regulatory Oversight
Despite the surge in orders, Boeing continues to face constraints on its production capabilities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently limits monthly output of the 737 Max to 38 jets due to ongoing safety oversight. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is expected to request approval to increase production rates in the near future.
Ortberg also recently told investors that deliveries to Chinese airlines are expected to resume this month, following a multi-year pause driven by geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.
Industry Headwinds and Long-Term Outlook
Boeing’s renewed momentum comes as the company attempts to recover from a prolonged financial downturn. Since 2019—when two fatal crashes led to the grounding of the 737 Max—Boeing has reported cumulative losses of approximately $35.7 billion.
A newly released report by McKinsey & Company highlights structural challenges in the aerospace supply chain, including labour shortages, raw material constraints, and delays in engine reliability. These issues are contributing to slower aircraft delivery timelines and longer maintenance turnaround times, exacerbating supply bottlenecks.
McKinsey projects that commercial air travel demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), grew by 10.4% from 2023 to 2024 and is expected to expand by 4.2% annually through 2030.
While demand is surging, the complexity of aircraft manufacturing and persistent industry-wide disruptions suggest that delivery delays may continue in the near term. Nevertheless, Boeing’s strong order momentum and resumed deliveries mark a notable turnaround for the company amid an increasingly competitive global aviation market.
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