Airbus lead at the low end of the middle of market growing

The long gestation period of Boeing’s NMA has to be hurting.  This chart shows how over the past 20 years Boeing steadily lost on the remarkable lead it had with the 757.  Boeing’s 757 and 767 virtually invented the middle of the market.  The combination was powerful and airlines leaped at these aircraft as they met so many needs.  The 767 quickly grew from -200 to the -300ER, which was its finest example and by far the most popular.  The 757 also grew from the -200 to the -300, which saw very few sales.  The base 757 was an excellent tool with remarkable capabilities. It was the perennial “size 9” aircraft able to serve several different markets.

7

Twenty years ago, Boeing

had nearly four 757s in service for every A321.  Airbus saw the potential in the segment – after all Boeing had sold over 1,000 757s.  But what is remarkable is that Boeing frittered this lead away.  As of 2Q18, Airbus had more than three A321s for every 737-900/ER in the market.  A complete reversal in two decades.