There’s a new most flown commercial jet in the world, and it’s taking over that title from the Boeing 737…
In this post:
Airbus A320 series surpasses 12,260 deliveries since launch
For just about as long as I’ve been alive, the Boeing 737 family of aircraft has been the most popular commercial aircraft in service. Obviously the Airbus A320 family is a major competitor to this, but Boeing has had a roughly two-decade head start on Airbus.
While the Boeing 737 entered commercial service in 1968, the Airbus A320 only entered commercial service in 1988. Despite the late start, there’s a pretty incredible milestone that has just been reached.
With the delivery of an Airbus A320neo overnight to Saudi carrier flyadeal, the Airbus A320 is now the best selling commercial plane in history, as reported by Reuters. Specifically, 12,260 of those planes have been delivered, compared to 12,259 Boeing 737s.
Let me emphasize that these numbers include the entire family of product lines. So for the A320, it includes everything from the A318s that are being phased out, to the brand new A321XLRs. Meanwhile the 737 includes everything from the original 737-100, to the 737 MAX 9.
Will the Airbus A320 be able to maintain this title?
It’s pretty wild that Airbus has now beat Boeing in the narrow body market, when you consider that Boeing had a roughly 20-year advantage. Admittedly production has ramped up quite a bit over the years, so the most recent 10 years is more significant than a period of 10 years decades back.
Boeing has of course had an absolutely awful several years, going back to 2018 and 2019, when we saw two Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Since then, we’ve seen Boeing severely restricted in terms of how many 737 MAXs it can deliver monthly. For that matter, two variants of the 737 MAX — the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 — both still haven’t been certified.
As things currently stand, Airbus is just running circles around Boeing. For example, in 2024, Airbus delivered 766 planes, while Boeing delivered 348 planes.
So while Boeing is working toward boosting 737 MAX production considerably, I still don’t think it’ll be able to exceed Airbus A320 production anytime soon, and I think this could be a long term change.
For that matter, the Airbus A320 family is simply a superior and more versatile product, if you ask me. I say that from a passenger comfort standpoint, a range standpoint, etc. That’s especially true with the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 still not certified.
Bottom line
The Airbus A320 has now overtaken the Boeing 737 as the world’s most delivered commercial jet, despite the latter having a two-decade advantage in terms of starting production. Boeing has of course had a really tough time in recent years, given the 737 MAX issues when it comes to safety and reliable production.
So it’s pretty incredible to see the 737 dethroned as the king of commercial aviation. But honestly, this is well deserved for Airbus, as the A320 family of aircraft is impressive.
What do you make of Airbus overtaking Boeing for having the most popular aircraft?
I just read someone else's post about low oxygen levels on the 737.
What I know is, I always walk off 737s exhausted. Horrible plane. The A320's are lovely.
On the subject of low O2 levels in Boeing vs Airbus aircraft cabins, I checked out my Blood Oxygen levels recorded on my Apple Watch. Although one concedes that this is not a truly scientific explanation, from my data obtained during 64 international flights over the past two years, it certainly appears that my Blood Oxygen levels were higher on Airbus flights.
Put 800 percent tariffs on all Airbus. They are 1980s tech. Once Boeing has its new 737 replacement due early next decade, there is no excuse to buy the overrated euro bus.
Hank,
Keep on believing the Boeing propaganda.
Keep on belittling Airbus.
Keep on putting your life at risk on Boeing aircraft.
Keep on flying failing product on failing airlines.
Keep on swallowing the American aviation bad dream.
Keep on advocating American protectionism.
Finally, keep on watching America fall back off the World Stage …. some people deserve no better.
As opposed to 1960s tech on the 737???
I have always hated the 737, very uncomfortable plane in economy. A320 is much nicer. Add that it is a better platform overall and all of the crap that Boeing put in recently (MCAS, bad doors) and 737s are just waiting a slow death.
Since its introduction, the Airbus 320 "family" has always been considerably ahead of Boeing, IMHO, and a personal favorite. Becoming the "all-time best seller" was only a matter of time. That said, I've always preferred Boeing widebodies...make of that what you will.
Since my first A320 flight in 1990 ( Canadian Airlines SFO-YVR) I became a convert, A much more comfortable plane in all metrics. Really enjoy Delta's A321's
LOVE Airbus !
But of a nitpick here, but the A320 family overtook the 737 family for best selling (ordered) airplane family back in 2019.
Today’s milestone is for total number of delivered airplanes.
I overheard four longtime flight attendants of a US mainline carrier talking about how they avoided working on the 737, because oxygen levels are so low that they’re permanently tired.
lol ok
The air nozzles on the 737 MAX and many later 737 NGs are so poor and the ventilation is so weak. The A320 series have great air nozzles with good air flow, and this is very important for passenger comfort.
Boeing is the Intel of commercial airliners
President need to fix this ASAP. Only Boeing planes are allowed to flying within or to/from the US or pay a fine of $250 for each passenger. Make Boeing great again!
Bonkers suggestion Mark …. :-(
It will take more than “A fine of $250 for each passenger to make Boeing” even credible “Again”, yes?
It's not bonkers considering this administration.. it's not farfetched they could even do this. This is how they think as well.
What is also remarkable is that Airbus nicely recovered from their A380 failure. It was certainly a visionary aircraft but the markets did not support it. Despite their losses, they were able to retool and refocus.
Go Europe!
Seems like a million years since the "If it's not Boeing, I'm not going" days.
I had two transcons in economy plus/MCE recently. One on a United 737-8 Max and one on an American A321 Neo. The neo was definitely quieter and the wider seats are definitely noticeable. It's clear the airbus is a better passenger experience and I would always choose that if given a choice.
Seems as though Boeing misjudged in the previous decade by taking the 757 out of service. Currently there isn't anything to compete head on with the 321neo.
Agree 100%. A fresh 757 with an ability to size both up and down would have been the more prudent choice for Boeing to make many years ago.
This, AGAIN? What part of "no airline wanted such a thing," do you people fail to grasp?
Boeing literally spent a 3 year campaign gauging interest in an updated 757, keeping the line open for 2 years without a single order. No one wanted it. No one asked for it. So they discontinued it.
Two decades later, and people still can't get that through their heads. Sort of astonishing, really.
The A321NEO has sold more copies than all variants of the MAX, so, no it is not likely Boeing will reclaim the narrowbody title.
Airbus is selling the A320 and A220 families in the narrowbody market while Boeing sells just the MAX.
Boeing still holds the widebody title which is not at risk
…. don’t hold your breath on that submission Tim, Boeing like all U.S. airlines, is on a very dangerous downward trajectory. When pigs learn to fly as efficiently as pink elephants, Boeing might survive bankruptcy protection, however, it will take decades to recover from the humiliation of their current status.
While it's true the A320 family outsold the 737 family, the A321 is really competing with the 757. Boeing delivered over 1,000 757s. Still, the Airbus narrowbody will eventually surpass the 737/757.
Still, the A321 is based on the A320 while the 757 is a new airframe design.
No, you Airbus fanboy, it isn't competing against the 757 because Airbus lied to everyone about the range. The American aircraft is superior, like it always is.
…. in your dreams ORD, you old sleepyhead “Like (you) always is” …. :-)
It should be here, but thanks to politically motivated orders the markets been skewed massively. If it was purely based on the best planes, Boeing would have been long behind with their low quality death trap.
Not at all surprising.....given the shoddy workmanship and craven corporate greed that overwhelmed Boeing.
As someone from Spain - I felt a lot of pride at all the Iberia planes used in this article,
I wonder if Boeing will ever be able to catch up on its backlog and why they are not outsourcing or selling part of their production instead of paying billions in compensation for late deliveries. They could easily team up with another company.
Boeing already outsource 70% of aircraft design, manufacturing & assembly and it has been a dismal failure.
Surprise, surprise …. No! Not really, simply a Boeing own goal!
Boeing has killed a couple hundred passsengers by not following SOPs in the airline industry and trying to save costs. Anybody here who wanted to be on those flights?
Trust is a thing that is easily cracked and hard to regain.