Boeing's 737 Delivery Record Under Threat from Airbus's A320 Series

Boeing's decades-long 737 delivery record may be broken by Airbus's A320 series of aircraft. Airbus has delivered over 12,155 units, just 12 units shy of Boeing's record. Airbus is also exploring potential successors for the A320 Neo aircraft, including an open rotor design. Meanwhile, Boeing is facing challenges, including a paused Indian aircraft deal and contract negotiations with over 3,200 workers.

Airbus's A320 series is poised to surpass Boeing's 737 as the most-delivered commercial jet in history, according to data from aviation consultancy Cirium. As of early August 2025, Airbus had delivered 12,155 A320-family aircraft, just 12 units shy of Boeing's record of 12,175 737s [2].

The A320's journey to this milestone began in 1981 when Airbus announced plans to build a new single-aisle aircraft to challenge Boeing's dominant 737. The 737 had already reshaped the industry by making short- and medium-haul routes more efficient. By the time the A320 entered service in 1988, Boeing had delivered around 1,500 units of the 737 [1].

Airbus's gamble on digital fly-by-wire controls and a side-stick for pilots paid off. The A320's innovations stood in contrast to the evolutionary upgrades of the 737. Major carriers embraced the A320, leading to a significant increase in its deliveries. By the early 2000s, Airbus was matching and often surpassing Boeing in narrowbody deliveries [1].

The A320's success is a testament to Airbus's rise from a politically complex consortium into one of the two dominant forces in global aviation. The A320's innovations and Airbus's ability to adapt to market needs have allowed it to maintain a competitive edge over Boeing [1].

Boeing, however, has faced significant challenges. The 737 Max's automated flight-stabilizing feature, MCAS, contributed to two deadly crashes, leading to a global grounding of the jet for 20 months. More recently, Airbus has faced issues with the fuel-efficient engines that power the A320neo, leading to extra maintenance and grounding of hundreds of jets [1].

As both narrowbody families near the end of their evolutionary timeline, analysts and investors have begun asking about what's next. Airbus is considering an open-rotor engine for the A320 successor, while Boeing is working on a next-generation plane but has yet to provide a timeline [1].

The potential crossover of the A320 series overtaking the 737 is more than just a statistical milestone. It underscores Airbus's rise as a serious contender in the aviation industry, challenging Boeing's long-held dominance.

References:

[1] https://fortune.com/2025/08/17/airbus-a320-top-selling-commercial-jet-record-boeing-737/
[2] https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/08/17/airbus-a320-to-overtake-boeing-737-production/