The Airbus A320 family has surpassed Boeing’s 737 to claim the title of the world’s best-selling commercial aircraft, marking a milestone in the decades-long rivalry between the aerospace giants.
Airbus has delivered more than 12,250 aircraft from its A320 family since introducing the jet in the 1980s, according to a report by French newspaper Le Monde. The achievement represents the first time the European manufacturer has overtaken Boeing’s 737, which made its debut in the 1960s. As of August 2025, Airbus had reached 12,198 A320 family deliveries.
The shift comes as Airbus maintains strong production momentum. In September 2025, the company delivered 73 jets, a jump from 50 deliveries during the same month last year. The figure exceeded analyst forecasts of 69 to 70 aircraft, according to Reuters.
Airbus declined to disclose September delivery figures to media outlets, saying it would release official orders and deliveries data on Oct. 8.
Historic Achievement Decades in Making
By the end of September, the A320 achieved in 37 years what took Boeing 58 years with the 737. The A320 entered service with Air France in 1988, while the Boeing 737 first flew in 1967.
In September alone, Airbus produced around 73 A320 family aircraft, according to Reuters, though Le Monde reported approximately 60 jets. Boeing, by contrast, delivered just 38 737 MAX jets during the month due to production caps imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. As of August 2025, Boeing had delivered 12,214 737s, meaning September’s deliveries would not have closed the gap, according to Le Monde.
Widening Delivery Gap
Airbus maintained its lead throughout 2024, delivering 766 aircraft compared to Boeing’s 348 commercial jets. The European manufacturer’s deliveries increased roughly 4% compared to 2023.
Boeing saw its deliveries drop by about one-third amid manufacturing quality issues, disruptions from a machinists’ strike and ongoing supply chain problems. The door plug incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 earlier in the year compounded the situation.
In 2023, Airbus delivered 735 aircraft ahead of Boeing’s 528. The year before, Airbus delivered 663 jets compared to Boeing’s 480, continuing a clear lead over its American rival.
Strong Order Book Ensures Future Production
Airbus’s lead appears set to widen. The company’s single-aisle models, including the A320 family and A220, have accumulated 20,303 orders together, with 7,164 aircraft still awaiting delivery. At current production rates, the backlog represents nearly a decade of work.
The manufacturer plans to deliver about 820 aircraft across all models by the end of 2025, a target that could further strengthen its position.
However, challenges linked to Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines continue to affect operations. Engine problems caused by a rare contaminant in powder metal used for some components have delayed deliveries by increasing the number of completed aircraft waiting for engines. Though the situation has improved slightly, ongoing supply chain issues and the need for inspections and repairs continue slowing new aircraft deliveries.
In August, Airbus delivered 61 jets, including 47 from the A320 family.
Key Takeaways
- Airbus A320 family surpassed Boeing 737 as world’s best-selling commercial aircraft with more than 12,250 deliveries, achieving in 37 years what took Boeing 58 years.
- Airbus delivered 766 aircraft in 2024 compared to Boeing’s 348, maintaining its fifth consecutive year of delivery dominance.
- Strong order backlog of 7,164 aircraft awaiting delivery ensures nearly a decade of production at current rates.
- Boeing faces production caps from FAA following door plug incident, delivering just 38 737 MAX jets in September versus Airbus’s 73 total deliveries.
- Pratt & Whitney engine issues continue affecting Airbus deliveries despite company targeting 820 aircraft across all models by end of 2025.
