Boeing is evaluating plans to push production of its top-selling 737 narrowbody jet beyond the company's stated objective of 63 aircraft per month, according to people familiar with the matter. Executives are preparing proposals and testing whether the company's supplier base could sustain an increase to roughly 70 jets monthly.
The contemplated uplift would bring Boeing's narrowbody output closer to the targets set by Airbus for its competing A320neo family. Those targets have been a focal point of industry discussion given the stresses they place on global supply chains and component vendors.
Company studies are described as preliminary and the higher production cadence may ultimately not be pursued. Boeing has not issued a comment on the work in progress.
Earlier this year, Boeing disclosed a planned step-up in 737 MAX production to 47 aircraft per month from 42, following consultations with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. CEO Kelly Ortberg noted at a May conference that the 47-per-month rate was underway and that the company expected to be producing at that pace within the next couple of months.
Airbus has long set out an ambition to reach a monthly output of 75 jets in the A320neo family but has repeatedly delayed that aim because of supply-chain limits. The European planemaker now anticipates achieving between 70 and 75 narrowbodies per month by the end of 2027 and then stabilizing production at 75 per month. At present, Airbus is producing roughly 60 narrowbody jets per month on average.
Raising Boeing's monthly 737 rate toward the mid-to-high 60s would test the resilience of the broader aerospace supply chain and narrow the gap between the two major planemakers' production plans. The outcome of Boeing's internal reviews and supplier assessments will determine whether a formal plan to accelerate production is adopted.
Context and near-term status
The company has moved recently to increase output to 47 per month for the 737 MAX and is conducting early-stage studies into a further increase to about 70 per month for its narrowbody family. Any change beyond the recently announced 47-per-month rate remains tentative.