Boeing

Boeing flies the first production-conforming 777-9 (registration WH128) from Everett on May 7, 2026 — the sixth 777-9 to fly but the first built to delivery standard with Lufthansa's fully outfitted passenger cabin, a key step toward 2027 entry into service.

On May 20, 2026 China's Ministry of Commerce confirmed an agreement for Chinese carriers to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft — plus engines and spare parts — following a Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. It marks China's first major Boeing order in nearly a decade (the last was in 2017). The jets, expected to be heavily weighted toward the 737 MAX, are to be allocated among Air China, China Eastern and China Southern, with Boeing then negotiating firm contracts carrier by carrier; officials framed aviation as a key area of U.S.-China cooperation.

CEO Kelly Ortberg confirms on May 27, 2026 that Boeing has passed the FAA capstone review for 47 737s per month and is now running the line at rate 47, the first step toward the long-stated ambition of 52 and ultimately 63 jets per month.

Boeing delivered 60 commercial aircraft in May 2026, its strongest month of the year and up from 47 in April, including 51 737 MAX jets as the narrowbody line recovered from a wiring issue. The month left Boeing's commercial backlog at roughly 6,758 aircraft and signaled its 737 production recovery was gaining pace, with single-aisle jets accounting for 52 of the deliveries.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope confirms in early June 2026 that the FAA has granted the 777-9 Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) Phase 4B, unlocking the largest remaining block of certification flight testing — covering avionics, stability and control, and human-factors work. Phase 4B is the last of the program's five TIA phases carrying a significant workload, keeping the long-delayed widebody on track for certification later in 2026 and first deliveries in early 2027.

Boeing commits to a major reinvestment in its Wichita, Kansas campus — the former Spirit AeroSystems site reacquired in December 2025. An initial $1B buildings-and-renovations program announced May 11, 2026 is expanded to a $2.35B total ($1B infrastructure plus $1.35B machinery and equipment) and roughly 150 new high-wage jobs by June 11, 2026, with CEO Kelly Ortberg framing it as upgrading facilities, expanding employee training, and strengthening the production system. Boeing shares rose about 4.8% on the news.

China Southern Airlines disclosed on June 26, 2026 an order valued at about $3.62 billion for seven Boeing freighters — two 777Fs and five next-generation 777-8Fs — plus options for three additional 777-8Fs. It marks a notable win for Boeing in mainland China, where new orders had largely dried up over the prior decade amid trade tensions, and adds backlog for the still-in-development 777X freighter line.

Boeing held a ribbon-cutting on July 10, 2026 for its new 737 MAX 'North Line' at the Everett, Washington factory — a roughly $1 billion, fourth final-assembly line and the first time 737s have been built outside the Renton plant since production consolidated there in 1970. Assembly work (starting with the MAX 10) began July 6 and the first Everett-built jet is expected to roll out by year end. Boeing frames the line, which adds nearly 1,000 jobs, as the platform for pushing 737 MAX output beyond the current rate of 47 jets per month toward 52 and ultimately 63 aircraft per month as it works down a backlog of roughly 6,700 aircraft.

Ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, Boeing disclosed on July 16, 2026 that certification of its long-delayed jets is entering the home stretch. The 737 MAX 7 has finished certification flight testing with deliverables 95% complete (686 flight-test hours over 441 flights plus 349 ground-test hours), leaving final FAA submittals and production certification of the engine anti-ice fix — putting it on course to be certified first, potentially within weeks. The MAX 10 is 98% through certification flight testing (about 2,060 flight hours, 972 test flights), with remaining work concentrated on development-assurance reviews and system-safety assessments, still targeting approval by year-end. The 777-9 test fleet has logged more than 4,800 flight hours across roughly 1,700 flights and is about 50% through planned certification testing, with TIA 5 and ETOPS test blocks remaining and first delivery still targeted for 2027.

Boeing opened the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026 with commitments for roughly 128 aircraft (nearly 150 including options). The centerpiece was lessor SMBC Aviation Capital's order for 100 737 MAX jets (60 MAX 10 and 40 MAX 8) — SMBC's first purchase of the higher-capacity MAX 10. Boeing also booked widebody demand, including up to 20 787-10s from Philippine Airlines (15 firm plus 5 options) and a 787 Dreamliner fleet expansion from Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air. Management signaled it was prioritizing production stability and delivery-slot discipline over chasing headline orders, and said it was studying 737 MAX production-rate increases beyond the current 47 per month.

Boeing completes the reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems in December 2025, bringing 737, 767, 777, and 787 aerostructures and aftermarket operations — and roughly 15,000 employees — back in house to tighten quality and supply-chain control.

Kelly Ortberg is appointed president and CEO of Boeing, tasked with leading the company through quality and safety reforms.

The FAA clears the 737 MAX to resume flights after Boeing implements software updates, pilot training changes, and design modifications.

The 737 MAX is grounded worldwide following two fatal crashes (Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302), killing 346 people. The grounding lasts nearly two years.

The 737 MAX, Boeing's latest narrow-body aircraft with new CFM LEAP engines, enters service with Malindo Air.

The 787 Dreamliner enters commercial service with All Nippon Airways, marking a new era of fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft.

Boeing launches the 787 Dreamliner program, featuring a revolutionary composite fuselage and improved fuel efficiency.

Boeing merges with McDonnell Douglas in a $13 billion deal, creating the world's largest aerospace company at the time.

The Boeing 747 'Jumbo Jet' makes its maiden flight, becoming the world's first wide-body commercial airliner and revolutionizing long-haul air travel.

The Boeing 707, the company's first commercial jet airliner, enters service with Pan American World Airways, ushering in the jet age.

William Boeing incorporates Pacific Aero Products Co. in Seattle, Washington; renamed Boeing Airplane Company in 1917.