Boeing Reclaims Top Spot in Annual Orders, Surpassing Rival Airbus Since 2018

The Boeing company has officially secured the crown for Boeing annual commercial orders.

For the first time since 2018, the US aviation giant surpassed its European rival Airbus in annual sales. Figures released this week confirm Boeing's victory in the fiercely competitive aircraft manufacturer competition.

The Order Victory

Boeing recorded a total of 1,175 gross orders for the year 2025. After accounting for cancellations, the net total reached 1,075 commercial plane orders 2025. This net figure was enough to place the US company ahead of its competitor. Airbus, meanwhile, recorded 889 net new orders for the same period, according to reported industry data.

This marks a significant turnaround for the US manufacturer. The last time Boeing tops Airbus in orders was seven years ago. The strong performance signals renewed confidence in the company's product line.

• Boeing Net Orders: 1,075
• Airbus Net Orders: 889

Key Deals Drive Widebody Resurgence

A major factor in Boeing's success was a resurgence in widebody jet orders. This includes a landmark deal with Delta Air Lines. The carrier placed its first direct Boeing 787 Dreamliner contract.

Delta's commitment is for 30 firm orders for the 787-10 variant. This deal also includes options for 30 more aircraft. The new aircraft sales will support Delta's long-haul international growth and fleet modernization plans. The 787-10 offers greater efficiency, replacing older, less fuel-efficient jets.

Other major deals included large orders for the popular 737 MAX family. The demand for both single-aisle and widebody jets shows strength in the global aerospace market.

Deliveries and Industry Challenges

Despite winning the order race, Boeing still faces challenges in production. The company delivered 600 commercial jets for the year. This is a significant increase from previous years.

However, Airbus maintained its lead in aircraft deliveries. The European manufacturer shipped 793 aircraft to customers in 2025. The delivery gap highlights ongoing supply chain issues across the industry. Airlines need new planes quickly to meet rising passenger demand. This high demand is pushing the Airbus order backlog and Boeing's backlog to record levels.

Industry organizations like IATA continue to monitor the global recovery. The strong order books suggest a healthy future for the sector. However, manufacturers must address production bottlenecks. Regulatory hurdles also remain, such as certification for new variants like the 737 MAX 10 from the FAA. Stakeholders follow this commercial aviation news closely. [link: https://flying.flights]

The opportunity for Boeing lies in converting its high order total into timely deliveries. The risk is that production delays could lead to customer frustration and potential cancellations.