Boeing (NYSE: BA) delivered 55 aircraft in September, marking a significant recovery from last year’s strike-impacted production and putting the US planemaker on track for its strongest performance since 2018.
Despite a solid month of deliveries, the company continues to trail rival Airbus, which handed over 73 aircraft in the same period.
September deliveries reflect recovery from labor disruptions
September’s total of 55 jets compares with 33 deliveries a year earlier, when a strike by 33,000 factory workers in the Northwest disrupted production.
The figure is broadly in line with August’s 57 deliveries and represents Boeing’s best September since 2018, when it delivered 87 aircraft.
Of the 55 aircraft delivered last month, 40 were 737 MAX jets, including 10 to European budget carrier Ryanair.
The milestone included Boeing’s 2,000th 737 MAX delivery.
Boeing also delivered one 737 NG for conversion into a P-8 patrol aircraft for the US Navy and 14 widebody aircraft: four 767s, three 777 freighters, and seven 787s.
Eight of the aircraft went to Chinese customers, including a 777 freighter, a 787, and six 737 MAX jets.
In the first nine months of 2025, Boeing delivered 440 planes compared with 507 from Airbus.
The deliveries are also below the same period in 2018, when Boeing handed over 568 aircraft prior to the two fatal 737 MAX crashes that disrupted production and regulatory approvals.
Orders and backlog
Boeing booked 96 new orders in September, including 30 737 MAX aircraft for Norwegian Airlines and 50 787 Dreamliners for Turkish Airlines.
Uzbekistan Airways also ordered 14 787s, and the company added two 737 MAX orders for an undisclosed customer.
After accounting for the cancellation of one 737 MAX by Enter Air, the net orders totaled 95 for the month.
Boeing’s backlog decreased slightly from 5,994 aircraft to 5,987, reflecting these adjustments.
The stable backlog positions the company for continued deliveries as it works to ramp up production.
Production ramp-up and regulatory coordination
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg recently highlighted plans to increase the 737 MAX production rate to 42 planes per month by the end of the year, up from the current 38 per month cap set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The step-up follows a near-catastrophic blowout of a door plug on a flight in January 2024 and ongoing FAA oversight.
“I think we’re pretty aligned,” Ortberg said at a Morgan Stanley investor conference, emphasizing ongoing coordination with the FAA to stabilize final metrics before reaching the targeted output.
The 737 MAX remains Boeing’s primary revenue driver, and the company is closely monitoring delivery rates and order fulfillment to sustain growth.
September deliveries also included key orders for widebody aircraft, such as the 787 Dreamliner, reinforcing Boeing’s diversified production portfolio.
Despite geopolitical concerns, including recent US threats to impose export controls on spare parts for Boeing aircraft, tensions eased after discussions between Washington and Beijing, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
This resolution allows Boeing to continue fulfilling international orders, particularly for China, which remains a significant customer.
Boeing’s September deliveries and order activity demonstrate a stabilizing production line, ongoing global demand, and a pathway toward strong annual results, echoing the company’s recovery from past labor and regulatory disruptions.
Boeing shares are up 0.56% today and gained 26% in the year so far.
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