US aircraft manufacturer Boeing recorded its strongest October performance for net aircraft orders in nearly three decades, securing 165 new orders without any cancellations, even as monthly deliveries declined compared with the previous month and the same period last year.
The company disclosed on Tuesday that it delivered 49 aircraft in October, down from 57 in September and 53 recorded in October 2025.
Despite the decline in deliveries, the 165 orders represented Boeing’s strongest October performance for orders minus cancellations since 1997. Much of the growth came from aircraft lessor Avolon, which placed an order for 140 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
Of the total orders secured during the month, 150 were for the 737 MAX aircraft. Apart from Avolon’s order, Allegiant Air ordered six jets, while four were placed by unidentified customers. The remaining 15 orders were for Boeing 787 Dreamliners, also from unidentified customers.
The delivery figures showed that the 737 MAX remained the largest contributor, with 32 aircraft handed over to customers in October. This represented a decline from the 43 delivered in September.
The company also delivered 11 787 Dreamliners, two 777 freighters and three 767 aircraft during the month. One of the 767s was designated for Boeing Defense’s KC-46 aerial refuelling tanker programme.
The latest figures come as Boeing continues efforts to stabilise production and increase output of its popular 737 aircraft amid manufacturing challenges.
Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Ortberg, said last month that the company would fall short of its target of delivering approximately 500 737 aircraft this year.
Boeing is working towards increasing 737 production to 47 aircraft monthly, a rate Ortberg said the manufacturer expects to achieve in early 2027.
However, supply chain difficulties remain a major obstacle to its production ambitions. Wing manufacturing for the 737 programme continues to constrain output, while a dispute involving a supplier has stalled wing production for the 777 freighter and 767 programmes.
Cumulatively, Boeing delivered 524 aircraft in the first 10 months of the year, representing an increase of approximately six per cent from the 493 aircraft delivered during the corresponding period in 2025.
Despite the improvement, the American manufacturer remains behind its European competitor, Airbus, which delivered 621 aircraft within the first 10 months of the year.
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand received two Boeing 787 Dreamliners in October, even as the airline continues to await certification from European regulators for its economy-class Skyrest sleep pods, according to the airline and media reports.
The sleep pods are part of the airline’s efforts to introduce additional comfort options for economy-class passengers on long-haul flights.
Boeing’s October performance highlights the contrast between its improving order book and the operational difficulties limiting aircraft deliveries. While the strong demand, particularly for the 737 MAX, offers encouragement for the manufacturer, resolving production bottlenecks and meeting delivery commitments remain critical to its recovery.