Airbus A320 Becomes Most-Delivered Jetliner in History, Surpassing Boeing 737
Oct 8, 2025
Europe’s Airbus has overtaken Boeing to claim the title of the most-delivered commercial jetliner in history. The milestone came with the delivery of an A320neo to Saudi carrier Flynas, bringing total A320 family deliveries to 12,260 since the aircraft entered service in 1988.
The A320, first launched in 1984 and flown in 1987, has been a global favorite among both traditional airlines and low-cost carriers, thanks to its fuel efficiency, reliability, and versatile design. The aircraft’s success marks a major achievement for Airbus, which now leads in cumulative narrow-body jet deliveries.
“At the beginning, nobody thought it would work, and now it’s winning, at least on the bigger variants,” said Adam Pilarski, former chief economist at Douglas Aircraft.
Decades of Competition
The A320 family’s success caps a 40-year transatlantic rivalry between Airbus and Boeing. While Boeing’s 737 series dominated for decades, Airbus’ innovative fly-by-wire technology and modern design helped it gain a competitive edge. The jet’s development was not without challenges, facing financial, political, and technical hurdles before becoming a commercial triumph.
The A320 also paved the way for future innovations, expanding into markets vacated by aircraft like the A380 and continuing to evolve with the A320neo variant for improved fuel efficiency and extended range.
Global Demand and Industry Impact
Demand for narrow-body jets has surged due to rising air travel, particularly in Asia, which has fueled a booming market for medium-capacity aircraft. Combined, Airbus and Boeing have delivered over 25,000 jets in the A320 and 737 families, solidifying their positions as leaders in commercial aviation.
Despite challenges like Boeing’s 737 MAX crises and global competition from Chinese and Brazilian manufacturers, both companies continue to dominate the jet market. Industry analysts note that neither Airbus nor Boeing plans to replace these highly profitable aircraft in the near future, instead focusing on incremental improvements in engine technology and production efficiency.
“Boeing can’t catch up with the current A320 family based on their respective production plans, but it may strengthen Boeing’s resolve to think about a future beyond the 737,” said aviation analyst Rob Morris.
The A320’s milestone reflects Airbus’ enduring innovation, strategic vision, and ability to adapt to changing markets, establishing the aircraft as a cornerstone of global aviation for decades to come.
