Airbus Targets 870 Deliveries in 2026, Extending Lead Over Boeing
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Airbus projects 870 aircraft deliveries for 2026, widening its production gap over Boeing, which anticipates a modest 10% increase from its 600 units in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- •Targets 870 aircraft deliveries in 2026, widening its lead over Boeing's projected ~660.
- •Contends with an FAA production cap on its 737 MAX, limiting output to 42 aircraft per month.
- •Faces persistent supply chain issues, with Airbus citing Pratt & Whitney engine shortages impacting its A320neo ramp-up.
- •Maintains a larger order backlog of 8,754 aircraft versus Boeing's 6,713 at the end of 2025.
Airbus has set an ambitious aircraft delivery target for 2026, aiming to ship approximately 870 commercial aircraft and further solidifying its lead in the ongoing Boeing vs Airbus production race. This forecast comes as Boeing anticipates a more modest 10% increase from the 600 aircraft it delivered in 2025. The widening production gap underscores the differing challenges and strategic priorities facing the world's two largest commercial aircraft manufacturers.
The disparity in output reflects a complex landscape of regulatory oversight, supply chain constraints, and internal recovery efforts. While Airbus continues its production ramp-up, particularly for its popular A320neo family, Boeing remains focused on stabilizing its production systems and meeting stringent quality benchmarks set by regulators. The 2026 projections suggest the aerospace industry will continue to see a significant delta in delivery numbers for the foreseeable future.
Production Targets and Recent Performance
In 2025, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft, significantly outpacing Boeing's 600, according to official company reports. The majority of these deliveries were narrow-body jets, with Airbus shipping 607 aircraft from its A320 Family and Boeing delivering 447 from its 737 family. The trend is set to continue, with Airbus's 2026 target of 870 aircraft far exceeding Boeing's projected total of around 660 units.
Both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) hold substantial backlogs, signaling robust long-term demand. At the end of 2025, Airbus's order backlog stood at 8,754 aircraft, while Boeing reported a commercial backlog of 6,713 aircraft, as detailed by Forecast International. This demand is heavily concentrated in the narrow-body segment, driven by global airline fleet modernization efforts.
Boeing's Path to Recovery
Boeing's production rate for its best-selling Boeing 737 MAX remains a critical factor in its ability to close the gap. Following a door plug incident in early 2024, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) capped the company's 737 MAX production. While this cap was increased from 38 to 42 aircraft per month in October 2025, any further increases are contingent on Boeing demonstrating sustained improvements in its quality control systems.
Company leadership has emphasized a strategy of stability over speed. CEO David Calhoun has previously stressed the need to "concentrate on achieving strict compliance with quality standards." This deliberate approach, while necessary for rebuilding regulatory and customer trust, directly impacts the company's ability to match Airbus's output in the short term. Boeing aims to deliver 500 aircraft from the 737 family in 2026, a slight increase from the previous year.
Airbus's Supply Chain Headwinds
Despite its strong production figures, Airbus is not without its own challenges. The European manufacturer has consistently cited persistent supply chain constraints as a primary bottleneck. Specifically, shortages of engines from Pratt & Whitney have impacted the production ramp-up of its Airbus A320 New Engine Option (A320neo) family.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury noted that these engine shortages are a significant factor in managing production goals. "Pratt & Whitney's failure to commit to the number of engines ordered by Airbus is negatively impacting this year's guidance and the ramp-up trajectory," Faury stated in an analysis of the company's performance. These issues highlight the fragility of the global aerospace supply chain as both OEMs attempt to meet record demand.
What Comes Next
For 2026, the industry will closely watch whether Boeing can meet its quality and safety benchmarks to secure further production rate increases from the FAA. Concurrently, Airbus's ability to achieve its 870-delivery target will largely depend on the performance of its key suppliers, particularly engine manufacturers. While Airbus's lead in the production race appears secure for now, the dynamics could shift if Boeing successfully stabilizes its operations and Airbus's supply chain issues worsen.
Why This Matters
In my view, the numbers only tell part of the story. While Airbus is clearly winning the volume game, Boeing's forced focus on process discipline and quality could, in the long run, build a more resilient manufacturing foundation. The real metric of success for Boeing over the next 24 months won't be matching Airbus's delivery figures, but rather restoring complete confidence with regulators, airlines, and the flying public. This production gap is less a race and more a reflection of two giants on fundamentally different journeys: one of aggressive scaling and one of foundational rebuilding.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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