Airbus vs Boeing – deliveries since 2000

As we approach the year end, it is clear that Airbus can’t catch Boeing in orders for the year.  Today’s order for 50 A321s is great news for Airbus because all orders are good – especially because the A321 has become the diamond of its single-aisle family. But this order only brings Airbus, roughly, to 50% of Boeing’s orders YTD.

We prefer to focus on deliveries.  This is because airlines and lessors like to order an aircraft, and then convert the model when metal gets cut.  Ordering a small model means a lower deposit.  It’s an old game.

Here is a brief history of deliveries by the two big OEMs.  As the chart illustrates the 70% line is important.  For Airbus

, the single-aisle segment has been typically over 70% of deliveries.  Not so at Boeing, where for several years the widebodies pushed below the 70% line.  Bigger aircraft mean bigger deposits and more revenue.  Airbus bet big on the A380 and it has not delivered as expected. Boeing bet big on the 787 and that has worked out very well.