Boeing edges Airbus in quiet Farnborough jet order race

• The week's largest deal came from lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, which split a 200-jet single-aisle order evenly between Boeing (100 737 MAX) and Airbus (100 A320neo-family aircraft)
• Total orders of approximately 300 aircraft represented a significant decline from the 2018 peak of 1,109 orders and fell short of bullish forecasts of 800 planes
• Both manufacturers are grappling with order backlogs stretching into the next decade due to supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages, and manufacturing setbacks, shifting industry focus from new sales to production increases

Summary: Boeing Edges Airbus in Subdued Farnborough Airshow Order Race

Boeing narrowly outpaced Airbus at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, securing 173 firm and preliminary orders compared to Airbus's 154, for a combined total of 327 aircraft. However, the overall order activity fell significantly short of bullish forecasts of up to 800 planes, with approximately 300 aircraft sold by major planemakers.

Key Deals and Figures:

• SMBC Aviation Capital, the world's second-largest lessor, placed the show's largest commercial order: 200 single-aisle jets split evenly between 100 Boeing 737 MAX and 100 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft
• Excluding previously unannounced deals already in order books, the net new order tally was 218 aircraft
• Regional aircraft maker Embraer secured orders for 50 planes, including 20 freighters
• CFM International won a record order for over 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 500 previously ordered Airbus jets

Market Context:

The subdued order activity reflects the industry's shift in priorities as both manufacturers grapple with supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and manufacturing setbacks. Both Airbus and Boeing currently hold order backlogs extending into the next decade, reducing urgency for new headline deals.

The 2026 total represents a slight increase from the previous 2024 Farnborough event but remains far below the 2018 cyclical peak of 1,109 orders. Industry focus has shifted from aggressive order campaigns to ramping up production and addressing delivery delays. Boeing CEO Stephanie Pope emphasized that "demand is not the issue," highlighting that manufacturing capacity rather than sales remains the primary constraint facing the aerospace sector.