Boeing Evaluating Record Output for 737 MAX as Production Targets Rise
Boeing's Ambitious Production Plans and Industry Context
By Dan Catchpole
Current Production Increases and Future Goals
SEATTLE, June 5 (Reuters) - As Boeing increases production of its best-selling 737 MAX from 42 to 47 jets a month, the U.S. planemaker is looking at how it can climb to 70 a month, its highest ever, CEO Kelly Ortberg told CNBC on Friday.
Assessing Supply Chain Resilience
"We'll look at that to understand where our constraints are, what the resilience is of the supply chain, but that's a study activity right now," Ortberg said.
The planemaker's stated goal is to raise production to 63 jets a month.
Industry Reports and Supplier Readiness
The Air Current trade journal reported on Thursday that Boeing is drafting plans and assessing whether its suppliers could support raising production of the single-aisle jet to 70 per month.
Financial Imperatives and Recovery Efforts
Turning out more 737 MAX jets is critical to Boeing's financial recovery after losing more than $30 billion in recent years and taking on historically high levels of debt.
Production History and Regulatory Oversight
Boeing has methodically increased output since it restarted 737 production in December 2024. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration capped production at 38 jets per month after a panel blew out of a nearly new 737 MAX, revealing widespread production quality and safety problems. The cap was lifted in October 2025.
Ensuring Production Stability
"We've made sure that we're not moving (the rate up) until the production system is stable," Ortberg said.
Next Steps in Production Expansion
After consulting the FAA, the company said in May it is aiming to raise production to 47 per month in mid-summer.
New Production Line in Everett
Boeing plans to load the first plane on its new 737 production line in Everett, Washington, on July 6, Ortberg told CNBC.
Strategic Importance of the Everett Line
The line is critical to the company's plans to take 737 production to the next stage of 52 jets a month, he said.
Supply Chain and Competitive Landscape
The supply chain will have to increase capacity to support Boeing's increased production, Ortberg said on a first-quarter earnings conference call in April.
Airbus Production Targets
European rival Airbus has long aimed for monthly output of 75 A320neo-family jets, but repeatedly delayed the target due to supply-chain constraints. It expects to reach 70 to 75 jets per month by the end of 2027, with plans to stabilize production at 75 thereafter.
(Reporting by Dan Catchpole in SeattleEditing by Rod Nickel)
