Air TransportA320 surpasses 737 as most-delivered commercial jet after Flynas delivery
The Airbus A320 family has become the most-delivered commercial jet in history, surpassing the Boeing 737 after a delivery of an A320neo to Saudi carrier Flynas on October 6, appointed Cirium. The milestone brings the total number of A320 family jets delivered to 12,260 since the first aircraft entered service in 1988.
As of August, the A320 family had delivered 12,151 aircraft compared to 12,171 for the 737. Data for September has not yet been released by either manufacturer.
This had been expected for a few weeks due to Airbus’s faster delivery pace, which quickly caught up with Boeing, taking advantage of the US company’s problems.
French media even projected this would have happened as early as September. Airbus, however, had not yet commented on the matter.
The Boeing 737, which began deliveries in the late 1960s, held the record for decades but has now been overtaken as Airbus accelerates production to meet growing demand for single-aisle aircraft. Combined, Airbus and Boeing have handed over more than 25,000 narrow-body jets to airlines globally.
Launched in 1984, the A320 was introduced during a period of skepticism about Airbus’s ability to compete in the single-aisle market. The aircraft featured fly-by-wire controls, a technology then new to commercial aviation, which has since become a standard on modern jets.
The A320 family forms the backbone of many airline fleets worldwide, offering various models for short- and medium-haul operations. Airbus has expanded its production footprint to the United States and China to support rising order backlogs and reduce delivery times.
B
oeing’s 737 program, while foundational to commercial aviation, has faced significant challenges in recent years. Production was reduced after two fatal accidents involving the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019, leading to regulatory scrutiny and delivery delays. Although Boeing is gradually increasing its output, the process remains subject to regulatory limits.
The shift in delivery leadership reflects broader trends in the commercial aircraft market, where Airbus has become the largest manufacturer in annual deliveries.
The company’s ability to maintain and ramp up production has allowed it to capture market share, particularly after Boeing slowed output following declines in demand after the September 11 attacks and subsequent safety crises.
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