Airbus A320 Surpasses Boeing 737 in All-Time Deliveries for First Time in Aviation History

For the first time in aviation history, the Airbus A320 has surpassed the Boeing 737 in total aircraft deliveries, according to data released Tuesday.

Airbus has delivered 12,257 of its single-aisle A320 aircraft through September, overtaking Boeing's 737 delivery count which stands at 12,254 units since its introduction in 1968.

The European manufacturer achieved this milestone despite the A320 entering service two decades later than its American rival, with the first A320 delivery occurring in 1988. The aircraft has now become the most purchased commercial plane in history.

This shift in industry leadership reflects Boeing's ongoing challenges with safety and quality control issues over recent years. The American manufacturer faced a significant setback with the 20-month worldwide grounding of its 737 MAX fleet following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed 346 lives.

Further complicating Boeing's production capacity, federal regulators have imposed a monthly production cap of 38 MAX aircraft following the January 2024 Alaska Airlines incident, where a window panel blew out during flight, necessitating an emergency landing.

Boeing has implemented operational modifications and enhanced safety training under strict regulatory supervision. Company executives anticipate approval to increase monthly MAX production to 42 aircraft by late 2025.

Both aviation giants maintain substantial order backlogs from airlines seeking to expand and modernize their fleets. However, fulfilling these orders has been consistently challenging due to supply chain disruptions, with Boeing facing additional scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In September, Boeing delivered a total of 55 aircraft, including 40 737 MAX planes, seven 787 Dreamliners, three 777s, and four 767s.

The American manufacturer delivered 160 aircraft during the third quarter, bringing its 2025 total to 440 deliveries so far. These figures exceed 2024 performance, indicating improved production rates following the company's implemented changes.