US President Donald TrumpWith the open support of , and the company’s start to use its contracts as a tool in international economic negotiations, Boeing finished 2025 ahead of Airbus in the number of net orders for commercial aircraft.
Despite this, the US manufacturer fell behind its European rival in the number of aircraft actually delivered throughout the year, revealing the difference between order volume and production capacity.
By the end of 2025, Boeing reached 1,173 net orders, while Airbus recorded 889 orders. In comparison, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft to its customers, while Boeing delivered a total of 600, including 30 of the 767 model. This data shows that despite a stronger commercial performance, Boeing still faces limitations in its production rate.
The American manufacturer’s result was driven mainly by strong demand for the 737 MAX family, with 591 orders. While the 381 contracts awarded for the 787 Dreamliner also played an important role, long-term agreements for the 777X reached a total of 163 orders. Airbus, on the other hand, based its order portfolio largely on the A320neo family, which totaled approximately 500 orders.
One of the key differences between the two companies is seen in the way the data is disclosed. While Airbus announces order cancellations in detail, Boeing only shares aggregate figures; This reduces transparency in direct comparison of order portfolios.
777XDespite delays in its launch, the program continues to attract long-term commitments. Also military aircraft derived from commercial platforms—aerial refueling aircraft KC-46A and maritime patrol aircraft P-8A — Contributed to Boeing’s total contract volume.
Another important point is that the total number of orders obtained by Boeing in 2025 is more than double compared to 2024. This growth took place against a backdrop of strong political intervention, with Trump highlighting the company’s orders as a symbol of the strengthening of American industry in negotiations with US trading partners.
In summary, 2025 marked significant commercial progress for Boeing and a gradual recovery after years of certification delays for the 737 MAX and 777X, the consolidation of Spirit AeroSystems, and recurring quality issues. However, the gap between orders and deliveries shows that the company is still having difficulties keeping pace with its main European rival in converting contracts into production.
Source and images: Airbus | Boeing. This content was created with the support of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
