Boeing $BA Sees Delivery Surge in 737 Max, Highest Since 2023, Boosting Growth

Boeing has made notable strides in ramping up production of its 737 Max aircraft, achieving its highest delivery numbers since late 2023. This resurgence, reported in early July 2025, marks a critical step in the company’s recovery from years of operational and regulatory challenges. While the headline figures are encouraging, a deeper analysis of production rates, delivery schedules, and market dynamics reveals both the scale of Boeing’s progress and the hurdles that remain in a fiercely competitive aerospace sector.

Delivery Performance in 2025: A Turning Point?

In June 2025, Boeing delivered 60 aircraft, with 42 of these being 737 Max models. This represents the strongest monthly performance since December 2023 and reflects a significant improvement over the first half of 2025, during which the company handed over approximately 278 aircraft. For context, this figure lags behind rival Airbus, which delivered around 300 units over the same period (January to June 2025). However, Boeing’s June numbers signal a momentum shift, particularly as the company has struggled with supply chain constraints and quality control issues in recent years.

Breaking down the first half of 2025, Boeing’s delivery trajectory shows steady growth. In Q1 (January to March), deliveries were subdued, reflecting ongoing production bottlenecks. By Q2 (April to June), output gained traction, culminating in the June peak. This aligns with Boeing’s stated goal of increasing 737 Max production to 38 units per month by spring 2025, with aspirations to reach 47 per month by year-end. Whether these targets are feasible remains a question, given historical delays and external pressures.

Production Goals and Operational Challenges

Boeing’s ambition to scale 737 Max production is not new. As early as 2023, the company outlined plans to achieve a record output of 57 units per month by July 2025. Current data suggests it is on track to approach, if not meet, this target, with production rates already climbing. However, scaling output is not merely a numbers game. The aerospace giant has faced persistent issues with supplier reliability, workforce training, and regulatory scrutiny, all of which have slowed progress in the past.

One lingering concern is the certification of components for other models, such as the 787 Dreamliner. Even as 737 Max production accelerates, some completed 787s await delivery due to delays in certifying new passenger seat designs. This illustrates a broader challenge: while Boeing can boost output on one front, bottlenecks elsewhere in the portfolio can undermine overall delivery performance. The company’s ability to synchronise production across its range will be critical to sustaining momentum through Q3 (July to September) and beyond.

Market Context and Competitive Pressures

Boeing operates in a duopoly with Airbus, and the delivery gap in 2025, though narrowing, underscores the competitive intensity. Airbus’s stronger first-half performance reflects its ability to navigate supply chain disruptions more effectively. However, Boeing’s June delivery spike suggests it is regaining ground, particularly in the narrowbody segment dominated by the 737 Max. With global air travel demand continuing to recover post-pandemic, airlines are eager to modernise fleets, creating a window of opportunity for Boeing to capitalise on its production uptick.

That said, external factors could temper optimism. Rising geopolitical tensions and potential tariffs on key markets, as noted in broader financial discussions on platforms like X, could disrupt international orders. While not directly tied to Boeing, such macro risks remind us that aerospace recovery is not immune to global economic currents.

Historical Comparison: Measuring Progress

To gauge the significance of Boeing’s 2025 performance, a glance at historical data is instructive. In 2023, the company delivered 528 aircraft for the full year, a figure heavily constrained by production halts and quality issues following the 737 Max grounding in 2019. By contrast, the first half of 2025 (278 deliveries) positions Boeing to potentially exceed its 2023 total if the current pace holds. This would mark a return to pre-crisis delivery levels, last seen in 2018 when Boeing handed over 806 aircraft. While not yet at that benchmark, the trend is upward.

Looking Ahead: Sustainability of the Recovery

The key question for investors and industry watchers is whether Boeing can maintain this delivery momentum. The June 2025 figures are a positive signal, but aerospace production is a long game. Supply chain stability, labour agreements, and regulatory approvals will all play a role in determining if the company can hit its ambitious monthly targets. Moreover, quality control remains non-negotiable; any repeat of past safety concerns could derail progress overnight.

In a sector where reliability is as much a currency as output, Boeing’s recent performance offers cautious optimism. The numbers suggest a corner has been turned, but the road ahead is far from smooth. As the company pushes towards its production goals in the second half of 2025, the balance between speed and precision will define its trajectory.

References

• Aviation A2Z. (2025, July 9). Boeing beats Airbus in June 2025 new deliveries and more. Retrieved from https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/09/boeing-beats-airbus-in-june-2025-deliveries
• CNBC. (2025, July 8). Boeing delivers most airplanes since late 2023 after ramping up 737 Max output. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/08/boeing-airplane-deliveries-june.html
• ePlaneAI. (n.d.). Boeing reports highest airplane deliveries since late 2023 amid 737 Max production increase. Retrieved from https://eplaneai.com/news/boeing-reports-highest-airplane-deliveries-since-late-2023-amid-737-max-production-increase
• FlightPlan. (2025, May 2). Airbus and Boeing: April 2025 Production Rates and Unofficial Deliveries. Forecast International. Retrieved from https://flightplan.forecastinternational.com/2025/05/02/airbus-and-boeing-april-2025-production-rates-and-unofficial-deliveries/
• MyNorthwest. (n.d.). Boeing 737 MAX deliveries soar to highest level since 2023. Retrieved from https://mynorthwest.com/local/boeing-737-max-deliveries/4108049
• NBC News. (n.d.). Boeing delivers most airplanes since late 2023 after ramping up 737 Max output. Retrieved from https://nbcnews.com/business/business-news/boeing-delivers-airplanes-late-2023-ramping-737-max-output-rcna217507
• Reuters. (2023, October 3). Boeing sets record 737 production goal for July 2025. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-sets-record-737-production-goal-july-2025-sources-2023-10-03/
• Reuters. (2025, May 29). Boeing CEO says company is ‘pretty confident’ it is ready to increase 737 MAX output. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/boeing-aims-crank-up-737-max-production-47-month-by-year-end-ceo-says-2025-05-29/
• The Air Current. (2024, December 20). Boeing charts ‘aggressive’ 737 Max production ramp-up in 2025. Retrieved from https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-production/boeing-charts-aggressive-737-max-production-ramp-up-in-2025/
• The Columbian. (2025, July 8). Boeing continues production ramp-up with 42 MAX deliveries in June. Retrieved from https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/jul/08/boeing-continues-production-ramp-up-with-42-max-deliveries-in-june/
• unusual_whales [@unusual_whales]. (n.d.). [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1549083506810109952
• unusual_whales [@unusual_whales]. (n.d.). [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1745870872513314865
• unusual_whales [@unusual_whales]. (n.d.). [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1750304010970767541
• unusual_whales [@unusual_whales]. (n.d.). [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1823451988111261697
• unusual_whales [@unusual_whales]. (n.d.). [Post]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1907419172088271178