Boeing outsold Airbus last year for first time since 2018

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 13, 2026 at 17:14  |  2:35  |  CNBC
Speakers
Phil LeBeau — Auto & Airlines Reporter, CNBC
Ed Bastian — CEO of Delta Air Lines

Summary

CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports that Boeing logged 1,173 net orders in 2025, outselling Airbus for the first time since 2018, and delivered 600 planes with a 6,130-plane backlog. Delta announced it is buying 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and reported Q4 results that beat estimates. Delta CEO Ed Bastian cited strong corporate and consumer travel demand, while Phil LeBeau noted premium revenue strength across Delta and United.

  • Boeing ended 2025 with 1,173 net orders, first annual order win over Airbus since 2018.
  • Boeing delivered 600 planes in 2025, most since 2018, with backlog at 6,130.
  • Boeing shares hit a 52-week high on the order and delivery data.
  • Delta reported Q4 EPS of $1.55 vs $1.53 estimate and issued Q1/2026 guidance.
  • Delta announced an order for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, deliveries starting 2031.
  • Delta CEO Ed Bastian said corporate travel grew 8% in Q4 and consumer demand is up double digits.
  • Phil LeBeau said Delta's premium revenue rose 9% and premium demand is not eroding, also benefiting United to an extent.
Ideas
Phil LeBeau Auto & Airlines Reporter, CNBC 0:19
Boeing order momentum and backlog improving
Boeing's December and full-year 2025 orders/deliveries show improving momentum: 174 December orders, 1,173 net orders for the year, first time since 2018 it outsold Airbus in orders, 600 deliveries (most since 2018), and a 6,130-plane backlog. Delta's 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner order, with deliveries starting in 2031, further supports the backlog. Boeing shares are at a 52-week high.
BA MED
Ed Bastian CEO of Delta Air Lines 1:46
Strong corporate and consumer travel demand
Delta is seeing strong travel demand: corporate travel grew 8% in Q4, consumer demand is up double digits in the new year, and January is a good indicator for the year. He explicitly says they are not seeing a slowdown in corporate demand, supporting Delta's earnings outlook after its Q4 beat.
DAL HIGH
Phil LeBeau Auto & Airlines Reporter, CNBC 2:09
Premium travel demand remains strong and resilient
Premium revenue at Delta rose 9% in Q4 and is continuing in Q1. Demand for premium seating, services, lounges, and co-branded credit cards remains strong and is not eroding despite economic questions. This has been a durable story for Delta and to an extent United Airlines, supporting their premium-exposed revenue streams.
DAL UAL HIGH
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This CNBC video, published January 13, 2026, features Phil LeBeau, Ed Bastian discussing BA, DAL, UAL. 3 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Phil LeBeau, Ed Bastian  · Tickers: BA, DAL, UAL