Boeing

William Boeing founded the company in Seattle in 1916. Early military and airmail contracts funded its move from floatplanes into purpose-built passenger aircraft, and Boeing grew into the dominant American aerospace manufacturer over the following decades.

The 707 opened the American jet age in 1958. The 747 jumbo arrived in 1970 and reshaped long-haul travel, the 777 followed in 1995, and the composite 787 Dreamliner entered service in 2011. The 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas folded a large defence portfolio and the MD line into the company.

Recent history centres on the 737 MAX programme and a multi-year effort to rebuild production quality and safety oversight. Boeing returned to revenue growth in 2025, lifted output across its main programmes, and acquired fuselage supplier Spirit AeroSystems to bring key structures work back in-house.

Boeing runs three divisions: Commercial Airplanes, Defense, Space & Security, and Global Services. Its current commercial line spans the 737 MAX, 767, 777 and 777X, and the 787 Dreamliner, with a record backlog supporting years of future deliveries.

Boeing’s in-production commercial range covers one narrowbody family and three widebody families, from the single-aisle 737 MAX to the long-haul 787 Dreamliner. The table sets out engines, typical two-class seating, cruise speed and range for each current model.

Production has climbed across the line. The 737 reached 42 jets a month by late 2025, the 787 moved toward eight a month, and the 777-9 advanced into the third phase of certification with first delivery targeted for 2027.

Boeing’s commercial assembly sits mainly in Washington State and South Carolina.

Boeing delivered 600 commercial aircraft in 2025, its highest total since 2018, and booked 1,173 net orders. The 737 MAX drove both figures, accounting for 591 new orders and 447 of the deliveries. Standout deals included Alaska Airlines’ 105-jet 737-10 order and Delta’s first direct purchase of the 787 Dreamliner. The commercial backlog closed the year above 6,100 aircraft.

Airbus again delivered more aircraft in 2025, but Boeing outsold its rival on net orders for the first time since 2018.

Boeing aircraft fly with most major carriers worldwide. United, American, Southwest and Ryanair anchor the largest fleets, alongside the major Gulf and Asian airlines. Across Australia, Qantas operates 737-800s and 787-9s, Virgin Australia runs an almost all-737 fleet, and Jetstar flies the 787-8 on long-haul leisure routes.