NEWS.FLIGHTS

How have Boeing’s airplane orders evolved since the start of 2025

Boeing’s airplane orders have experienced a notable evolution since the start of 2025, marked by a slow beginning, a sharp acceleration in the spring, and a record-breaking surge ahead of the Paris Air Show.

Early 2025: Slow Start Amid Uncertainty

At the beginning of the year, Boeing faced a sluggish pace in new orders. February 2025 was particularly quiet, with only 13 gross orders—all for the 737 MAX—and eight cancellations, resulting in just five net new orders for the month. This slow activity reflected ongoing industry headwinds, including supply chain disruptions and renewed tariffs on materials like steel and aluminum.

Spring Surge: March and May Bring Major Gains

Order activity picked up dramatically in March. Boeing booked 192 gross orders, including 88 for the 737 MAX, 51 for the 777X and 777F, and 53 for the 787. After accounting for 29 cancellations (mostly 737 MAX), the net new orders for March stood at 163. This rebound signaled renewed confidence from airlines and lessors as the industry started to recover from earlier setbacks.

May 2025 was a standout month for Boeing. The company booked 303 gross orders—the highest monthly total since December 2023—and after cancellations and conversions, netted about 300 new orders for the month. Major deals included a landmark widebody agreement with Qatar Airways and orders from other key customers, such as Saudi lessor AviLease and WestJet. This surge pushed Boeing’s total net new orders for the year to at least 512 by the end of May (with some sources citing even higher figures depending on accounting adjustments)

Order Backlog and Delivery Trends

As of May 31, 2025, Boeing’s order backlog stood at 5,943 aircraft, with the majority being 737 MAX models. The company has also ramped up deliveries, handing over 220 aircraft through May, including 164 737 MAXes and a mix of widebody jets. This delivery rate is nearly double that of the same period in 2024, underscoring Boeing’s recovery efforts.

Summary Table: Boeing Airplane Orders in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Early 2025: Slow order activity due to industry headwinds and supply chain challenges.
• Spring 2025: Significant rebound in orders, especially in March and May.
• May 2025: Record-breaking order month, with major deals and a backlog nearing 6,000 aircraft.
• Outlook: Boeing’s order momentum is expected to continue, especially with the upcoming Paris Air Show likely to generate further deals

NEWS.FLIGHTS – Airplane and Air Flight News Roundup 2025

Boeing Surges in Orders and Production as Industry Rebounds

In a year marked by robust recovery and innovation, the global aviation industry is soaring to new heights. Boeing, the American aerospace titan, reported its highest monthly order tally since December 2023, booking 303 gross new aircraft orders in May alone. This surge reflects Boeing’s determined efforts to regain ground on its European rival, Airbus, while stabilizing production of its most popular jets—especially the 737 MAX—amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Boeing delivered 45 aircraft in May, matching its April output and nearly doubling the 24 jets it delivered during the same month last year. From January to May, Boeing handed over 220 airplanes to clients, just behind Airbus, which delivered 243 in the same period. Notably, Boeing’s net orders for the year, after accounting for cancellations and conversions, stand at 512, far outpacing Airbus’s 215. The upcoming Paris Air Show is expected to spark further deals, as both manufacturers showcase new technologies and negotiate with airlines.

Boeing’s 737 MAX production has been capped by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 38 units per month following a high-profile safety incident involving a door plug blowout in January 2024. Despite this, Boeing managed to roll out 38 new 737 MAX jets in May, meeting its production target for the first time in over a year. The company’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has emphasized the need to maintain this stable production rate before seeking further increases from regulators.

Among the headline-grabbing deals, Qatar Airways committed to a record-breaking widebody order—130 of one model and 30 of another—with options for 50 more. However, only 120 firm orders were added due to unclear reasons. Meanwhile, Saudi lessor AviLease ordered 20 Boeing 737-8 MAX jets, and Etihad expressed interest in more widebody jets, though no firm order was finalized.

Airbus Navigates Challenges Amid Record Demand

Airbus, while slightly trailing Boeing in net orders, continues to be a major force in aircraft manufacturing. The company delivered 243 aircraft through May, outpacing Boeing in deliveries but lagging in new orders. Airbus is also facing production challenges, with reports indicating it is behind its 2025 targets despite a surge in new demand. Both manufacturers are benefiting from a resurgence in global air travel, with airlines eager to modernize fleets and expand networks.

Air Travel Sets New Records

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that 2025 will be the first year to surpass 5 billion air travelers, a 6.7% increase from 2024 and a historic milestone for the industry. Airlines are expected to generate over $1 trillion in revenue, up 4.4% from the previous year, signaling a strong post-pandemic recovery. Business aviation is also on the rise, with a 24% increase in private and corporate travel since 2019.

Despite concerns over rising costs for travel amenities, airfares have actually dropped more than 5% compared to both 2023 and pre-pandemic 2019 levels. However, this trend is expected to reverse as demand continues to climb. Domestic airline growth in the U.S. is projected to rise, even as some low-cost carriers reduce capacity by 4.7%, mainly from cuts at Southwest Airlines, Spirit, and JetBlue.

New Routes and Network Expansions

Airlines are rapidly expanding their networks to capitalize on surging demand. In May, U.S. carriers launched over a dozen new transatlantic routes. Delta Air Lines introduced six new services, including Boston-Barcelona, Minneapolis/St. Paul-Copenhagen, Detroit-Dublin, and expanded its Italian network with flights from New York JFK to Catania, Atlanta to Naples, and Minneapolis/St. Paul to Rome Fiumicino. The Minneapolis-Copenhagen route, operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, began on May 22 and will fly three times weekly.

United Airlines also bolstered its European network, opening routes from Newark to Bilbao, Faro, and Palermo, as well as Denver-Rome, Washington Dulles-Nice, and Washington Dulles-Venice. These expansions are driven by strong demand for international travel and strategic partnerships, such as Delta’s new codeshare with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which gives Delta passengers access to 50 destinations in northern Europe.

Aviation Innovations and Milestones

The aviation industry continues to push the boundaries of technology. Pratt & Whitney is celebrating its 100th anniversary by showcasing its Boeing 747SP flying test bed at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, one of the world’s largest aviation gatherings. The 747SP, a rare long-range variant of the iconic 747, is now primarily used as a test platform for new engine designs. Pratt & Whitney owns and operates the only two airworthy 747SPs, which have played a crucial role in developing over 70 experimental engines since 2001.

The Boeing Pavilion at the Paris Air Show will feature immersive displays, including a full-size 777X interior section and the 777-8 Freighter Theater, highlighting Boeing’s latest innovations in commercial and defense aviation. The exhibit will also showcase the Boeing Cascade Climate Impact Model, a tool for assessing options to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint.

Operational Challenges and Safety Incidents

Despite the industry’s progress, challenges remain. The FAA continues to closely monitor Boeing’s production quality and safety, following the 737 MAX door plug incident. In other news, a Boeing 737-900ER recently returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after losing cabin pressure, and an aircraft en route to Milan made an emergency landing in Memmingen, Germany. These incidents underscore the ongoing importance of safety and regulatory oversight.

Spotlight on Low-Cost and Regional Carriers

Low-cost carriers are navigating a complex landscape. Spirit Airlines recently launched new flights from Chattanooga and Birmingham, while Southwest Airlines, Spirit, and JetBlue have reduced overall capacity by 4.7% The Southwest-Icelandair partnership is now live, with a separate agreement with China Airlines set to take effect in 2026. Discounted flights and expanded food options are among the strategies airlines are using to attract travelers.

Looking Ahead

As the Paris Air Show approaches, the aviation industry is poised for further growth and innovation. Boeing and Airbus are locked in a fierce competition for orders and market share, while airlines and manufacturers alike are embracing new technologies and expanding their networks to meet the surging demand for air travel. With passenger numbers and industry revenues at record highs, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for global aviation.

This comprehensive roundup covers the major airplane and air flight news of 2025, from order surges and route expansions to safety challenges and technological milestones, as reported by NEWS.FLIGHTS.