Boeing on pace to increase aircraft deliveries in 2026 as 737 handovers rise

Boeing delivered 475 commercial aircraft in the first nine months of 2026, up 8% from a year earlier, putting it on pace to exceed last year’s total as deliveries of the 737 family increased.

The latest figures, released on October 13, 2026, show Boeing remains behind Airbus, which delivered 547 aircraft through September. Both manufacturers increased deliveries by about 8% compared with the same period in 2025.

Boeing delivered 600 commercial aircraft last year. It needs another 126 in the fourth quarter to surpass that total, after handing over 161 in the third quarter.

The 737 accounted for most of Boeing’s year-to-date improvement as deliveries rose to 367 from 330 in the first nine months of 2025. Deliveries of the larger 787 were nearly unchanged at 62, compared with 61 a year earlier, while 777 deliveries fell to 20 from 29. Boeing also delivered 26 aircraft from the 767 line, up from 20.

Third-quarter deliveries were close to last year’s level: 161 aircraft compared with 160. This year’s quarterly total comprised 124 737s, 22 787s, 10 767s and five 777s.

September 2026 brought an increase from the previous month, with Boeing delivering 57 aircraft, up from 51 in August and 55 in September 2025.

Boeing had a strong September for new orders, booking 165 aircraft. A Turkish Airlines order for 100 737 MAX jets accounted for most of Boeing’s monthly sales.

Other September orders included 20 737 MAX aircraft for Lufthansa, six 737 MAXs and five 787s for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and eight 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters for Ethiopian Airlines.

Airbus nevertheless remained well ahead in orders for the first nine months. It recorded 1,174 gross orders, or 1,105 after cancellations. Boeing booked 618 orders after cancellations over the same period, according to Dow Jones.

Boeing’s official backlog stood at 6,371 aircraft at the end of September, up from 6,156 a month earlier, Reuters reported.

The delivery figures come as Boeing works to sustain higher production. CEO Kelly Ortberg said in September that getting 737 output consistently to 47 aircraft a month had taken longer than expected.

Boeing is scheduled to report its third-quarter financial results on October 27, 2026. The company said the delivery figures remain preliminary until those results are issued.

The post Boeing on pace to increase aircraft deliveries in 2026 as 737 handovers rise appeared first on AeroTime.