Boeing will need into 2027 to prove it can sustain 47 monthly 737s, CEO Kelly Ortberg said, a delay that leaves the aircraft maker short of its 2026 delivery goal.
The production language marks a difference between building aircraft and maintaining a dependable pace. In July, Boeing forecast factory rollouts of 47 737s a month in summer 2026. On the Oct. 27 earnings call, Ortberg said the program needed more time to show that rate could be maintained, saying it would take “into next year.” Reuters, citing a separate CNBC interview with Ortberg, reported the timing as early 2027.
Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave said Boeing would fall short of its target to deliver 500 737s in 2026. The company delivered 124 in the third quarter and 367 in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2026.
Boeing tied its next increase to production readiness across several operations. The company needs certification and startup of the Northline, steady performance in wing and other back-shop work, and Wichita fuselage production that can support the higher pace. Boeing’s plan sets a target of 52 aircraft a month in the second half of 2027. Reuters also reported that Boeing’s past production quality problems were linked to increasing rates too quickly.
Delivery volume is an important factor in Boeing’s cash generation, Reuters reported. Boeing recorded $464 million in free cash flow in the third quarter, while the figure was negative $359 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30. Ortberg projected about $3 billion in free cash flow for 2027. The update follows a $697 million third-quarter operating loss at Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes unit, detailed in earlier coverage.
Boeing reported a record total backlog of $745 billion at Sept. 30, including more than 6,300 commercial airplanes. Its next stated production milestone is the planned 52-aircraft monthly rate in the second half of 2027.
