Boeing’s bonanza May: Aircraft orders reach highest tally since 2023
Boeing has recorded its strongest monthly order tally since late 2023, securing 303 gross aircraft orders in May as the US planemaker works to shore up production stability and close the gap with European rival Airbus.
The order surge comes as Boeing continues efforts to keep output of its bestselling narrowbody jets near the Federal Aviation Administration’s approved limits, following a period of regulatory scrutiny and manufacturing slowdowns.
Further order announcements could be on the horizon, with the Paris Air Show scheduled for next week.
Last month, Boeing secured a huge order from Qatar Airways, including 130 787 Dreamliners (10 orders were previously listed as unidentified). The order also included 30 777-9s, and options for an additional 50 787 and 777Xs.
Also contributing to the May 2025 tally was Saudi-backed lessor AviLease, which ordered a batch of 20 737 MAX aircraft to grow its portfolio of in-demand narrowbodies.
WestJet ordered seven 737 MAXs and there were orders totalling 119 MAXs and seven 787-9s from undisclosed customers.
Together, these orders will likely give Boeing renewed confidence in the wake of a tricky few years, with production challenges and regulatory oversight remaining ongoing concerns.
However sustained demand from diverse customers suggests that Boeing’s narrowbody and widebody aircraft continue to hold appeal.
Boeing’s 737 MAX production finally hits its goal
Notably, Boeing successfully rolled out 38 of its 737 MAX aircraft in May, marking a milestone for the company as it reaches the FAA’s production cap for the aircraft for the first time since it was put in place.
In terms of deliveries, the manufacturer handed over 45 aircraft in May, matching its April total. This showed improvement compared to the 24 deliveries made during the same month last year.
In total, 31 737 MAX jets were handed over to customers, including seven to United Airlines and four to Alaska Airlines. Seven wide body 787 Dreamliners were also delivered.
Five 777 freighters left the factory to join their new owners alongside one 767F. And one 737 NG was handed to the US Department of Defense for conversion into a P-8 Posiedon for the US Navy.
So far in 2025, Boeing has delivered 220 aircraft, trailing Airbus’s total of 243 over the same five-month period. This figure is significantly lower than the 348 it had delivered in the same period in 2024.
Airbus suffers with zero orders
In contrast, Airbus reported no new aircraft orders in May 2025, marking the first month without a single sale since August 2022.
So far, the company has delivered 243 aircraft, including 51 in May.
There are hopes that some Airbus orders are being kept back for a barnstorming Paris Air Show for the platemaker.
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