In the wake of Boeing’s recent challenges, marked by the in-flight door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, the aviation industry is witnessing a stark contrast in the fortunes of major players.

While Boeing’s leadership grapples to contain the fallout from its latest crisis, Airbus is confidently asserting its dominance in the commercial airliner business, painting a picture of success in 2023.

As Airbus proudly claims its position as the world’s No. 1 airplane maker for the fifth consecutive year, it becomes evident that the company is pulling ahead of its U.S. competitor. The data on last year’s jet orders and deliveries underscores Airbus’s remarkable achievements, delivering a total of 735 commercial aircraft to 87 customers globally—an impressive 11% increase from the previous year.

The success story for Airbus continues with the Commercial Aircraft business recording 2,319 gross new orders, including 1,835 and 300 orders for the A320 Family and A350 Family aircraft, respectively. With a year-end backlog standing at 8,598 aircraft, Airbus demonstrates both resilience and sustained demand in the face of a challenging operating environment.

On the Boeing front, the company reports significant achievements in 2023, delivering 528 commercial airplanes throughout the year. However, Airbus emerges as the clear winner, boasting higher delivery numbers, a substantial order backlog, and a strategic focus on next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.

As Airbus executives exude confidence, readily address questions, and outline plans for accelerating production and introducing new planes in the 2030s, Boeing grapples with the repercussions of the Alaska in-flight incident. The incident has grounded MAX 9s, leading to anticipated production slowdowns due to extra inspections. Moreover, certification delays for the final two MAX models, the MAX 7 and MAX 10, loom on the horizon.

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