Boeing Gains FAA OK for 42 Monthly 737 MAX Builds, Completes Spirit AeroSystems Deal
Boeing secured FAA approval to produce 42 737 MAX jets monthly and boost 787 output, supported by a record $636 billion order backlog. Its December acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and net 1,173 aircraft orders in 2025—versus Airbus’s 889—underscore the aerospace giant’s recovery momentum.
1. FAA Approves Record Production Ramp for 737 MAX and Dreamliner
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Boeing approval to increase 737 MAX output to 42 aircraft per month in 2026, up from 31 per month in 2025. At the same time, Dreamliner production is slated to rise to 10 units per month, marking the highest combined monthly delivery capacity in the company’s history. These milestones follow years of constrained manufacturing due to the 737 MAX groundings and subsequent regulatory scrutiny, and they position Boeing to address strong airline demand and chip away at its backlog.
2. Strategic Vertical Integration with Spirit AeroSystems Acquisition
In December 2025, Boeing completed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, the principal fuselage and wing supplier for its commercial jets. By bringing Spirit’s 15,000-employee organization in-house, Boeing gains direct control over a key segment of its supply chain, aiming to reduce quality defects and delivery bottlenecks that contributed to past production delays. Integrating Spirit’s Kansas and North Carolina facilities is projected to yield annual cost synergies exceeding $500 million by 2028, according to company estimates.
3. Robust Order Backlog and Airline Commitments
Boeing’s commercial order backlog stands at a record $636 billion, with 5,900 aircraft on firm order as of January 2026. In 2025 the company secured 1,173 net orders, surpassing Airbus for the first time since 2018. Major carriers have already placed follow-on commitments this year, including Alaska Airlines’ up to 105 additional 737 MAX jets and Delta Air Lines’ order for up to 60 new 787 Dreamliners. This order momentum underpins management’s forecast of double-digit revenue growth in 2026.
4. Tentative Labor Agreement with Former Spirit AeroSystems Staff
A union representing approximately 1,600 white-collar workers at Spirit AeroSystems announced on January 15 that it has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Boeing. The new contract includes a 12% wage increase over three years, enhanced retirement benefits and a streamlined grievance process. Leadership at Boeing projects that stable labor relations will help sustain the planned production ramp and support the integration of Spirit’s engineering and manufacturing operations.