Airbus Surges Ahead of Boeing in 2026 Jet Sales
Boeing's lead in deliveries to Airbus in the first four months of 2026 has been reversed, and by May, Airbus had taken over as the top manufacturer with 262 aircraft delivered compared to Boeing's 250.
The monthly delivery figures are noisy, but by mid-year, Airbus was pulling ahead on both orders and deliveries. In fact, Airbus' order book for 2026 dwarfs Boeing's, with net orders running at around 368 to Boeing's roughly 140.
The A320neo family, particularly the A321neo and its long-range cousin the A321XLR, are driving Airbus' success in securing new orders. The A321neo is prized by airlines for allowing them to fly longer, thinner routes with a single-aisle aircraft.
Boeing, however, still has a strong sales record, particularly with the 737 MAX, which remains its best-seller and backbone of its backlog. But the company continues to work through production and reputational challenges that have slowed its order intake.