The global aviation landscape shifted significantly throughout 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing rivalry between the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers. For the first time in seven years, Boeing managed to outpace its European competitor, Airbus, in terms of net orders. This development serves as a major indicator that the American aerospace giant is finally gaining traction in its long and difficult recovery process.
According to the latest year-end data, Boeing recorded 1,173 net orders over the past twelve months. This achievement is particularly symbolic because Boeing has trailed behind Airbus in new sales ever since the 2018 and 2019 crisis that halted its momentum. By comparison, Airbus reported 889 net orders for 2025. While both companies are seeing high demand for new, fuel-efficient aircraft, Boeing’s ability to secure a higher volume of new contracts suggests a renewed confidence among global carriers.
Deliveries and Production Milestones
While orders represent the future of the company, deliveries are the metric that determines immediate financial health. In this area, Boeing also showed marked improvement. The company handed over 600 aircraft to customers in 2025, which is its highest annual delivery total in seven years. The month of December was especially productive, with 63 jetliners reaching their new owners.
A large portion of this output was driven by the 737 Max program. Of the 63 planes delivered in December, 44 were 737 Max models. This specific aircraft remains the workhorse of Boeing’s narrow-body portfolio and is essential for the company to generate the cash flow needed to pay down debt and invest in future technologies.
Despite Boeing’s surge in orders, Airbus maintained its lead in total deliveries. The European manufacturer handed over 793 aircraft in 2025. While this number is lower than the record 863 planes Airbus delivered back in 2019, it still highlights the company’s superior production capacity and more stable supply chain in the current environment.
The Logic of the Delivery Gap
In the aerospace industry, the timing of a delivery is critical. Airlines typically pay a small deposit when they order a plane, but the vast majority of the purchase price is paid only when the keys are handed over. This is why supply chain bottlenecks are so damaging to a manufacturer’s bottom line. Throughout 2025, both Boeing and Airbus struggled with shortages of specialized parts and delays in engine manufacturing. These hurdles prevent companies from turning their massive order backlogs into actual revenue.
Boeing’s late-year success was bolstered by several massive deals with major American carriers. For example, Alaska Airlines recently finalized a commitment for more than 100 737 Max jets. Perhaps even more significant was the announcement from Delta Air Lines regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Delta confirmed an order for at least 30 of these wide-body aircraft, marking the first time the carrier has added the Dreamliner to its fleet.
Looking Toward the Next Decade
The recent wave of orders reveals a fascinating trend in how airlines are planning for the future. Many of the planes ordered in 2025 are not scheduled for delivery until the early 2030s. By locking in these slots now, airlines are protecting themselves against future price hikes and ensuring they have the capacity to replace aging, less efficient jets as global travel demand continues to rise.
The industry is now looking toward January 27, when Boeing executives are expected to provide a detailed breakdown of their production targets for 2026. Investors and analysts will be watching closely to see if Boeing can resolve its remaining quality control issues and ramp up production to match the massive demand reflected in their order books. If the company can sustain this momentum, 2025 may be remembered as the year the tide finally turned back in their favor.