Imagine the biggest companies that build passenger planes are in a race. For six years, the European company Airbus has been winning the race for new orders. This year, for the first time since 2018, the American company Boeing is expected to win. In a recent interview, the CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury , admitted this. He said that while Airbus is still making and delivering more planes right now, Boeing is likely to get more new orders in 2026.
This is big news. Let’s break down why this is happening, what it means, and what happens next.
What Exactly Happened?
The CEO of Airbus went on French radio. He talked about the company’s business. He made key points:
Airbus is still the leader in two important areas:
Deliveries: They are handing over more finished planes to airlines than Boeing.
Backlog: Their “waiting list” of planes to be built is much bigger than Boeing’s.
But for NEW orders this year, Boeing is ahead. He said Boeing was helped by the U.S. government using plane deals to solve trade arguments with other countries. After this, former U.S. President Donald Trump even joked about it, saying, “I think I have sold 1,000 Boeing planes.”
Behind Boeing’s Order Boom
Think of it like this: Airbus has been winning the marathon for years. Now, Boeing is having a really strong sprint. Here’s why:
The “America First” Sales Boost
This is the most unique reason. Over the past few years, the U.S. government had trade fights (about taxes called tariffs) with several countries. When they sat down to solve these fights, buying American products—like Boeing planes—became part of the deal.
So, countries like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and others placed huge orders for Boeing jets. It was a way to make peace with the U.S. and show they were good trading partners. As Airbus’s CEO said, plane orders “became part of the resolution.” Trump and his team acted like super-salesmen for Boeing on the world stage.
Everyone Wants the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
You can’t sell planes if no one wants them. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is a hit. It’s a big, long-distance plane that is very modern and saves airlines a lot of money on fuel. Now that people are flying internationally again after the pandemic, airlines need these efficient jets. Big orders for the 787 are a huge part of Boeing’s success this year.
The Natural “Catch-Up” Game
Boeing had a really tough five years after two crashes of its 737 MAX plane. During that time, airlines trusted Airbus more and gave them more orders. Now, Boeing has fixed the MAX’s problems. Airlines that had paused their plans with Boeing are finally saying, “Okay, we’re ready to order again.” It’s a natural wave of returning customers.
What This Does NOT Mean (Don’t Get It Twisted!)
It’s easy to think Airbus is in trouble. That’s not true.
- It’s NOT about who builds more planes today. Airbus’s factories are still humming. They will deliver more planes to airlines in 2024 than Boeing. That’s the real measure of current business.
- It’s NOT about who has more work in the future. Airbus has an 8,000-plane backlog. That’s like a restaurant that’s already fully booked for the next 8 years. One busy night at the restaurant next door doesn’t change that.
- It’s NOT a long-term trend… yet. This might be just one good year for Boeing after several hard ones. The real competition is measured over decades.
The Road Ahead: Looking to the Future
Boeing’s Job: “Just Build Them!”
As Trump joked, “Now all they have to do is make them.” Boeing’s biggest task is to build all these ordered planes perfectly and on time. They’ve had quality control problems recently. Their future plan is simple:
Fix the factories: Make production smooth and error-free.
Keep the trust: Prove every new plane is safe and reliable.
Launch new jets: Successfully introduce their latest big plane, the 777X.
Airbus’s Job: Keep the Lead and Invent the Future
Airbus isn’t just sitting back. Their plan is:
Speed up carefully: They need to build planes even faster to work through their giant backlog, without making mistakes.
Push the A220: They have a fantastic smaller plane (the A220) that Boeing can’t directly compete with. They’ll focus on selling more of those.
Build the future: Airbus is spending billions to invent the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger plane. They are racing to win the competition for green air travel in the 2030s.
Conclusion: Good News for Everyone Who Flies
So, what does this mean for you?
This fierce competition is actually great for passengers.
- Newer Planes: Airlines will get new, efficient jets from both companies. That means you’re more likely to fly on a plane with better air, bigger bins, and nicer windows.
- Better Deals: When airlines have two strong companies to choose from, they get better prices. This can help keep ticket costs from rising too fast.
- Greener Skies: To beat each other, both are racing to make planes that pollute less. This competition is pushing the whole industry toward a more sustainable future.
The Airbus CEO’s honest admission isn’t a white flag. It’s a sign that the race is heating up again. And when the two giants in any industry push each other to be better, we all win.
The sky, it seems, is big enough for two.
Disclaimer: This blog post is created for general informational purposes only. The views and analysis expressed are based on publicly available information and industry commentary up to the date of writing. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the dynamic nature of the aerospace industry means that commercial and strategic positions can change. This content should not be taken as financial, investment, or professional advice. All company names, products, and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Readers are encouraged to verify current facts and data through official sources.