The Boeing Company (BA) and Airbus SE (EADSY) dominate the global aerospace sector, controlling most of the commercial aircraft market. Their aircraft are essential for airline fleets worldwide, positioning them to meet rising air travel demand. Both companies also have strong presences in defense, space, and aviation services, diversifying their revenue streams and reducing reliance on commercial aircraft sales.
Boeing recently saw a 0.6% year-over-year increase in commercial aircraft deliveries in the third quarter of 2026, while defense shipments rose 3.1%. On October 20, 2026, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing’s 737-10, the largest aircraft in its 737 MAX family. This certification allows deliveries to begin soon, with 1,555 orders already received from over 30 customers. The 737-10, which seats 185-210 passengers, offers enhanced fuel efficiency and safety features.
Airbus, meanwhile, demonstrated its Defense and Space division’s ability to integrate German and Swedish air defense systems during NATO’s SPARTAN ARROW 26 exercise. This success could strengthen Airbus’s position in advanced defense technologies. Airbus also forecasts that the global commercial aviation services market will double from $209 billion in 2026 to over $420 billion by 2045, driven by fleet expansion and rising maintenance needs.
Zacks Investment Research estimates Boeing’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) will increase 89.85% year over year, while Airbus’s EPS is expected to rise 9.09%. Boeing shares trade at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 1.36X, compared to Airbus’s 1.64X. In the past month, Boeing’s stock rose 2.1%, while Airbus’s fell 2.4%. Both stocks currently have a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).