Boeing reported a 14% rise in first-quarter revenues, after it surpassed its European rival Airbus in aircraft deliveries over a three-month period for the first time since 2023.
Higher revenues and narrower losses
Published on Wednesday, April 22, the report shows that Boeing recorded $22.2 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, compared with $19.5 billion in the same period of 2025. The U.S.-based aerospace company also reported a $7 million loss, down sharply from the $31 million reported in the same quarter last year.
In total, Boeing delivered 143 commercial aircraft to clients the first quarter – 29 more than Airbus, marking the widest gap between the two giants since 2018. Airbus reportedly struggled with supply-chain issues, namely engine shortages.
In its defence, space and security division, Boeing’s revenues rose by 21%, prompted by a renewed surge in global defence spending.
Commenting on the increased revenues, Boeing CEO Robert Kelly Ortberg said:
“We’re building on our momentum with a strong start to the year and growing record-breaking backlog across our business.”
Boeing’s recovery
Boeing has been trying to recover public and clients’ trust since the two deadly crashes in 2018 in Indonesia and Ethiopia involving the 737 MAX, and the January 2024 incident when a door plug blew out mid-air on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX.
Since Ortberg took over as the lead of Boeing in August 2024, he has been praised for improving the company’s finances and industrial relations, and for stabilising production of the 737 MAX.
Bryan Bedford, head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), told Bloomberg on Tuesday that the agency had not identified any issue that would prevent it from certifying the new 737-7 and 737-10 variants this year. Boeing has reportedly been working with the FAA to obtain approval for design changes to address an anti-ice system safety issue.
The war in Iran, despite putting a strain on commercial airlines operating in the region, could bring benefits to manufacturers. Scott Mikus, an analyst with Melius Research, told the Financial Times that higher jet fuel prices may force carriers to accelerate the retirement of older aircraft and replace them with more fuel-efficient models.
What do you think of this recovery by Boeing? Will the company maintain the lead over Airbus in the next quarter? Share your thoughts in the comments.
