737 vs A320 – the quarter century race

It is amazing to think that these two aircraft families have been competing for every deal for 25 years.  What is really interesting is to see how this race has evolved.  More specifically, how Airbus has impacted and, dare we say it, improved Boeing.

Take a look at this chart which shows years in five-year increments as an age group.  Our data is up to the end of the second quarter of 2018.  The key here is how the market was once dominated by Boeing.  Even when Boeing absorbed McDonnell Douglas, it could not hold off the growth at Airbus.  Bear in mind this is the largest part of the commercial aviation market.