Airbus has achieved a major milestone in aviation history, overtaking Boeing to claim the title of the world’s most-delivered jetliner. The European planemaker’s A320 family officially surpassed Boeing’s 737 series following the delivery of a new A320neo to Saudi carrier Flynas on October 7, 2025.
According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, the handover marked Airbus’s 12,260th A320-family delivery since the aircraft entered service in 1988, edging past Boeing’s decades-long record for its 737 program, which first took flight in 1967.
The milestone cements Airbus’s position as the world’s largest planemaker by annual deliveries and underscores the A320 family’s growing dominance in the narrow-body jet market, the backbone of global commercial aviation.
The A320’s rise reflects shifting market dynamics that began in the early 2000s, as Airbus aggressively courted low-cost carriers amid a slowdown in Boeing production following the post-9/11 downturn. Over time, the A320 series, including its fuel-efficient neo (new engine option) variants, gained traction among airlines seeking lower operating costs and improved performance.
Industry data suggests that the A320’s advantage extends beyond deliveries. According to Flightradar24, the A320 family has consistently outperformed the Boeing 737 in total flight operations for more than a decade. In September 2025 alone, A320s recorded over 1.4 million flights, compared to 1.1 million by 737s.
The competition between the two manufacturers has shaped the modern aviation landscape for nearly 40 years. Boeing’s 737, launched in the late 1960s as a smaller sibling to the 727, long dominated short- and medium-haul routes. However, Airbus’s entry into the market in the 1980s, with advanced avionics, fly-by-wire technology, and greater efficiency, steadily eroded that lead.
Boeing’s troubles in recent years, particularly the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet following two fatal crashes, further hindered its position. While the company has resumed deliveries and is working to rebuild confidence, the damage to its reputation has been significant.
For Airbus, the record-breaking A320neo delivery to Flynas not only represents a symbolic victory but also reinforces its lead in the global narrow-body segment, a crucial battleground that drives the profitability of major aircraft manufacturers.
The milestone marks a new chapter in the ongoing transatlantic rivalry that has defined commercial aviation for decades — with Airbus now firmly ahead in both production and performance.
