Airbus is set in 2025 to overtake a deliveries record that Boeing held for decades, capping a sharp shift in commercial aviation’s balance of power. Company data through July 31 show Airbus ahead for the fifth straight year and widening its lead as summer output climbs. The European planemaker’s steady narrowbody production, stronger finances, and deep backlog have given airlines more predictable timelines, while Boeing’s recovery from the MAX crisis and ongoing quality checks has kept its own deliveries below earlier expectations.
By July 31, Airbus had delivered 373 commercial jets to 72 customers, versus Boeing’s 328, with July alone bringing 67 Airbus deliveries against 48 for its U.S. rival. Market share has tilted the same way: Airbus now holds 50% globally, up from 43% in 2023, while Boeing has slipped to 45%. Analysts say the momentum could carry through year‑end, putting Airbus within reach of its full‑year goal and beyond Boeing’s long‑held high‑water mark.
Deliveries and market position in 2025
Behind the scoreboard, the backlog tells the longer story. Airbus lists 8,678 aircraft in its order book — equal to about 10.6 years of output at current rates — with almost 89% tied to the high‑demand A320neo family. Boeing’s backlog sits at 6,563 jets, weighted toward the 737 MAX and several widebodies that still face production bottlenecks.
For airlines, that gap matters because it shapes when new capacity actually arrives on the ramp and into schedules.
Production rates show the contrast:
- Airbus
- Lifted A320neo output to 54 units in July.
- Aiming for about 820 deliveries in 2025 (up from 766 last year).
- Boeing
- 737 MAX line steadied at about 38 per month.
- Wider factory and supplier constraints keep overall production lower than hoped.
Both manufacturers still battle supply chain snags, though Airbus appears to be clearing parts and engine shortages more quickly this summer.
Financial and production picture
The financials underline the split paths and strategic room for maneuver:
- Airbus
- Posted a first‑half €4.2 billion profit.
- Reported roughly $75 billion in revenue.
- Strength supported by stable narrowbody output and steady A350 activity.
- Boeing
- Recorded an $11.8 billion loss.
- Carries about $38 billion in debt.
- Working through re‑inspections, fixes, and ongoing quality checks.
Investors have favored Airbus this year, citing cash flow strength and clearer visibility into 2025 and 2026 builds.
Regulatory environment
- In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken a tougher line on quality assurance since the MAX grounding.
- FAA production approval rules guide how factories scale; they affect both companies but have particularly slowed Boeing’s short‑term output as it satisfies additional checks.
For readers tracking the oversight framework, the FAA outlines production approvals here: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/production_approvals
Orders, backlog, and the late‑year push
Order activity adds more context to how quickly each manufacturer can convert demand into deliveries:
- Airbus
- Booked 203 new orders in June 2025, many unveiled at the Paris Air Show.
- Historically accelerates handovers in the final months of the year to meet targets.
- Boeing
- Logged 116 orders in June.
- Best spike came in May with 303 orders, driven by a Qatar Airways widebody deal worth about $96 billion at list prices.
Important distinctions:
- Widebody sales (like the Qatar deal) boost backlog value but do not convert into near‑term deliveries as quickly as narrowbody orders that feed monthly lines.
- Airbus’s end‑of‑year handover push can move dozens of jets in November–December, helping it reach or exceed guidance.
Airbus management is guiding to about 820 deliveries for 2025. Boeing has not set a public 2025 deliveries target, prioritizing quality, debt reduction, and rebuilding airline trust after the MAX saga and recent factory disruptions.
Historical context and strategic focus
The balance is shaped by history:
- Boeing dominated yearly output for much of the jet age with the 737 and 787 programs.
- Airbus began pulling ahead in 2019 as the MAX crisis deepened.
- By 2023, more Airbus aircraft were in service worldwide than Boeing — a milestone that influenced airline procurement.
Narrowbodies drive most growth. The A320neo family has become the default pick for many carriers needing fuel burn savings and range flexibility.
R&D and future programs
- Airbus: Earmarked about €3.6 billion for R&D in 2025, including work on hydrogen technology and sustainable aviation fuel pathways.
- Boeing: Focused on stabilizing output, trimming debt, and rebuilding performance before taking on any new clean‑sheet programs.
The near‑term race will be decided by factory rhythm and supplier stability, not future concepts.
Policy, industry ripple effects, and airline planning
Government policy sits in the background on both sides of the Atlantic:
- The EU supports Airbus as a strategic industry.
- The U.S. government continues to back Boeing’s role in manufacturing and exports.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests industrial shifts at this scale can ripple into cross‑border hiring and training, even if the delivery totals themselves come straight from company updates.
For carriers planning growth, delivery timing directly shapes operational decisions:
- Route maps, crew bidding and rostering, and maintenance slots depend on when aircraft move from backlog into service.
- Example scenarios:
- An airline awaiting A320neos can open new domestic frequencies once those jets arrive.
- A Boeing customer expecting 737 MAX handovers may stagger training and spares to match the manufacturer’s quarterly cadence.
The company that maintains the steadier delivery rhythm usually wins more fleet renewal campaigns in the next planning season.
Near‑term outlook
As of mid‑August, industry watchers expect Airbus to finish 2025 leading in:
- Deliveries
- Market share
- Cash position
The duopoly of Airbus and Boeing remains, but the gap could widen if Airbus continues clearing supply hurdles faster. Boeing’s recovery path depends on:
- Sustained quality improvements
- Debt relief
- Stable monthly production rates
For now, the scoreboard is clear: Airbus leads in deliveries, holds the larger backlog, and appears to have steadier finances heading into the fall production sprint. Boeing trails and is proceeding cautiously.
This Article in a Nutshell
Airbus’s 2025 surge reshapes aerospace hiring and supply chains. With 373 deliveries by July and an 8,678 backlog, airlines gain predictable capacity. Boeing’s slower recovery and quality checks limit output. This shift will drive demand for engineers, technicians, and migration policy adjustments as production ramps toward year‑end targets and contracts.
