Boeing Reports Strong January Orders Boosted by Delta 787-10 Deal

Boeing started 2026 with strong commercial aircraft sales, logging 107 gross orders in January, its best performance for the month since 2012. The results were anchored by a significant widebody order from Delta Air Lines for the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.

The robust order intake provides a positive outlook for the manufacturer's long-term backlog. However, the immediate challenge for Boeing in 2026 shifts from clearing its inventory of stored jets to increasing in-year production rates across its commercial programs. According to company officials, very few, if any, aircraft delivered this year will come from previously built inventory, placing a premium on manufacturing efficiency.

Delta's Strategic 787-10 Order

The headline deal for January was Delta Air Lines' firm order for 30 Boeing 787-10 aircraft, the longest variant of the Dreamliner family. The agreement also includes options for an additional 30 jets, providing a path to a fleet of up to 60 of the type. This marks a notable strategic move for the Atlanta-based carrier, as it represents Delta's first-ever direct purchase of the Boeing 787. The deal brings Delta's total firm order book with Boeing to 130 airplanes, building on a previous commitment for 100 737-10 jets.

"We are excited that Delta Air Lines has selected the 787-10 to join its fleet of the future," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a statement. "The 787 Dreamliner's unmatched efficiency, range, and passenger comfort make it a perfect fit for Delta's international expansion and fleet modernization."

Deliveries for the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2031, underscoring an industry trend where airlines are securing production slots many years in advance to facilitate long-term fleet planning. "Delta is building the fleet for the future, enhancing the customer experience, driving operational improvements and providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft in the decade to come," stated Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer. The official announcement confirms the airline's focus on modernizing its widebody fleet.

January Order and Delivery Breakdown

Beyond the Delta deal, Boeing's January performance indicates healthy demand across its portfolio. At the end of the month, the manufacturer's total commercial aircraft backlog stood at a substantial 6,196 aircraft, providing production visibility for several years.

On the delivery front, the company handed over a total of 46 commercial aircraft in January. The narrowbody 737 MAX program continued to be the primary volume driver, accounting for 37 of the total deliveries. The company also delivered five 787 Dreamliners during the month, a figure that reflects production rates from late 2025.

Focus Shifts to Production Rate Increases

With the inventory of undelivered jets largely depleted, Boeing's ability to grow its delivery figures in 2026 is now directly tied to its capacity to increase production rates. This marks a significant operational pivot from previous years, which were focused on clearing the backlog of aircraft built during the 737 MAX grounding and earlier 787 production pauses.

For the 787 program, Boeing is targeting an increase in the production rate to 10 aircraft per month during 2026. This is a step up from a rate of seven per month reported in late 2025. Achieving this higher rate will be crucial for meeting customer delivery schedules and improving the program's financial performance. The stability and output of the 737 MAX program remain the cornerstone of Boeing's overall delivery volume and are critical to the company's financial health.

Why This Matters

The strong start to 2026 order activity, particularly the high-value widebody commitment from a premier carrier like Delta, signals continued confidence in the long-term demand for new aircraft. However, it places greater scrutiny on Boeing's ability to execute on its production targets. For the airline industry, the long delivery horizon for the Delta order highlights the constrained supply of new widebody jets and the necessity for carriers to make fleet decisions nearly a decade in advance.

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