Boeing increases jet deliveries in February despite ongoing 787 seat headaches

Boeing Increases Jet Deliveries in February Despite Ongoing 787 Seat Issues

Boeing and Airbus Jet Deliveries and Orders: February Report

SEATTLE, March 10 (Reuters) - Boeing said on Monday it delivered 51 jets in February, an increase from 46 in January and the U.S. planemaker's highest total for February since 2018, despite ongoing challenges with premium class seats for 787s. 

Its deliveries far outpaced its European rival Airbus. Deliveries are closely tracked by investors as planemakers collect the majority of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. Boeing has lagged Airbus in deliveries every year since 2018.  

Boeing's February 2024 Deliveries

• Boeing delivered 43 single-aisle 737 MAX jets, including a jet for Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines.

737 MAX Deliveries and Safety Changes

• That was the last one of hundreds of 737s that required changes after two MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 revealed problems with the aircraft's autonomous flight control systems.

Widebody Jet Deliveries

• Boeing also delivered eight widebody jets: three 787 Dreamliners, two 777 freighters and three 767s - two freighters and one to be converted into a military aerial refueling tanker.

Challenges with 787 Dreamliner Deliveries

• Dreamliner deliveries were far below the company's target 787 production rate of eight jets per month, hampered by delays to high-end seats for first and business class.
• Lufthansa received one 787. It is still waiting on 13 Dreamliners, currently parked at Boeing facilities around the country, according to flight records. Boeing declined to comment.

Airbus Deliveries and Orders

• Airbus delivered 33 single-aisle jets - eight A220s, four A320neos and 21 A321neos - and two widebody A350s.

Boeing and Airbus: New Orders and Cancellations

Boeing Orders and Cancellations

• Boeing received 21 new orders last month - seven single-aisle 737 MAX jets, eight widebody 787s and six 767s. Five of the 787 orders came from Kazakhstan flag carrier Air Astana.
• Canadian airline WestJet ordered two 787s. However, it also cancelled six 737 orders, leaving Boeing with 15 new orders after cancellations and conversions.

Airbus Orders

• Airbus booked 28 new orders in February, with no cancellations or conversions. Air Astana ordered 20 A321neos and five A320neos. Airbus received another two A321neo orders from Tigerair Taiwan and one A320neo order from a private customer.

Year-to-Date Comparison: Boeing vs. Airbus

• For the first two months of the year, Boeing has booked 118 orders after cancellations and conversions and delivered 97 jets. Airbus trails with 38 orders and 54 deliveries. 

(Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Sonali Paul)