As we approach the Paris Air Show this month, there’s huge anticipation and speculation about potential announcements of aircraft orders. While there’s plenty to look forward to, one of Boeing's top executives recently looked back at the orders received since last year’s Farnborough Airshow. And the numbers are encouraging!

More than 1,000 aircraft ordered since last year

Boeing seems to be doing reasonably well after the challenges it faced with the grounding of the MAX series and the production delays of the Dreamliners and 777X. At a recent presentation, the plane manufacturer’s Vice President Of Commercial Marketing, Darren Hulst, looked back at the year gone by since Farnborough Airshow 2022 and the orders that have arrived at Boeing’s door. He said,

“We've seen commitments and orders for over 1000 aircraft since Farnborough and I think it's taken in its shape in a number of different places a number of different ways.”

Hulst added that the 737 family has seen the most demand, but as the year progressed and even early this year, Boeing saw commitments for 787 as airlines focused on their medium and long-haul needs. This was done not only from a replacement standpoint but also in terms of growth requirements in the future.

And orders came in all shapes and sizes, whether they were huge deals for hundreds of aircraft, follow-on orders for handfuls of aircraft, or even new business for two to three to five aircraft. They were also not limited to one region or one type but across families of aircraft and across the world in terms of different business models, different customers, and different requirements for their future.

Significant orders

United Airlines

One of the biggest highlights for Boeing last year was the mammoth order placed by United Airlines. The carrier placed the biggest widebody order in US history for up to 200 aircraft, including a firm order for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 100 more options for additional Boeing 787s. The order could include all three aircraft models, the -8, -9, and -10.

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The airline also increased its firm commitment to the Boeing 737 MAX. With 44 options for the MAX already being converted to firm orders, United Airlines topped it up with another 56 new orders.

Air India

The newly privatized Air India also became a 777X customer when it placed a massive order of 470 aircraft, of which 220 went to Boeing. This included 190 Boeing 737 MAX, 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 of the new 777X airplanes.

The significant MAX order certainly adds to Boeing's increasing presence in India's narrowbody segment, with SpiceJet and now Akasa Air also relying on the type. But the MAXs will most likely fly short to medium-haul international routes operated by Air India Express.

Ryanair

Last month, Ryanair announced a substantial new order with Boeing for up to 300 737 MAX 10 aircraft worth $40 billion, of which 150 are firm orders. This boosted the total number of MAXs ordered by the Irish LCC to 360.

Hulst also highlighted in his presentation that for the 737 MAX, the entire family of the type is where the demand is. He said that while the -8 and the -9 are doing great in the market currently, the -7 and -10 are the remaining pieces of the family that really provide, from the customers’ standpoint, competitive advantage to either reach new markets or add capacity and grow revenues.

Saudia and Riyadh Air

In March, Boeing confirmed a significant order from Saudi Arabia, worth almost $37 billion, for the purchase of 78 Boeing 787s, including the option of a further 43 aircraft. The aircraft order was split between flag carrier Saudia and the new national airline, Riyadh Air.

It comprised 39 Boeing 787-9s and 787-10s for Saudia (with the option for 10 more) and 39 Boeing 787-9s for Riyadh Air (with the option for 33 more). It has also been reported that Riyadh Air is set for its second major purchase from the US plane maker for up to 150+ 737 MAX planes.

Read the latest Boeing news here.

Of course, these orders were on top of several smaller orders, such as Azerbaijan Airlines upping its initial order of four 787s to eight, EVA Air finalizing its order for five Dreamliners, and UPS also placing an order for eight more Boeing 767 freighters.

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  Boeing

  Stock Code:

  BA

  Date Founded:

  1916-07-15

  CEO:

  Dave Calhoun

  Headquarters Location:

  Chicago, USA

  Key Product Lines:

  Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

  Business Type:

  Planemaker