For aviation investors and aerospace watchers, the global aircraft market remains a two-player contest: Boeing versus Airbus. While regional manufacturers like Embraer and China’s COMAC continue to expand, neither comes close to challenging the scale or influence of the two giants.
In 2025, that rivalry tilted decisively in Boeing’s favor — at least when it came to new aircraft orders.
Breaking Down the 2025 Numbers
Airbus, founded in 1970, has long positioned itself as Boeing’s main challenger and has scored several high-profile wins over the years. In October, Airbus announced that its A320 family had overtaken Boeing’s 737 as the most-delivered commercial aircraft type globally — a major symbolic milestone.
Flight data from September 2025 also highlighted Airbus’s operational dominance in the skies. The A320 family recorded over 1.4 million flights, compared with about 1.1 million flights by the Boeing 737 family.
But deliveries and flight counts only tell part of the story.
Narrowbodies: Airbus Holds the Edge
In the narrowbody segment, Airbus maintained its advantage in 2025:
- Small narrowbodies: Airbus dominated largely because Boeing lacks a direct competitor to the A220, originally developed by Bombardier.
- Large narrowbodies: Airbus narrowly led with 504 A320neo orders, edging out Boeing’s 461 orders for the 737 MAX family.
Widebodies: Boeing Strikes Back
The balance shifted dramatically in the widebody market.
Airbus’s A330neo had a strong year, securing 96 orders, but it was eclipsed by Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which logged an impressive 351 orders. That widebody performance proved decisive.
When all categories were combined, Airbus recorded roughly 640 commercial aircraft orders, while Boeing surged ahead with about 812 orders, giving the U.S. manufacturer the overall win for 2025.
Analysts say Boeing benefited from renewed international demand, trade activity encouraged by President Donald Trump, and a gradual recovery from reputational damage caused by earlier 737 MAX safety crises.
Military Contracts Boost Boeing Further
Beyond commercial aviation, Boeing strengthened its position through major defense deals. The U.S. military awarded the company a $2.7 billion contract for post-production support of the Apache helicopter fleet, following a $4.7 billion deal earlier this year for AH-64E Apache helicopters and training systems.
Airbus continues to secure defense contracts — including a recent deal to supply Spain with 18 C-295 military transport aircraft — but Boeing’s close ties to U.S. defense spending give it a structural advantage. In 2023, the U.S. spent 2.9% of GDP on defense, compared with lower levels across much of Europe.
What This Means for Investors
Wall Street remains optimistic about both companies:
- Boeing is rated a Strong Buy, with analysts targeting around $251.71 per share, implying moderate upside.
- Airbus carries a Moderate Buy rating, but analysts see significantly larger long-term upside potential based on current valuations.
The Bottom Line
In 2025, Boeing won the orders race, powered by widebody demand and defense contracts. Airbus, however, continues to dominate narrowbodies and flight activity, ensuring the rivalry remains far from settled.
For investors and industry watchers alike, the Boeing–Airbus battle remains one of the most closely watched contests in global manufacturing — and 2026 could easily swing the balance again.