Airbus’s A320 family has overtaken the Boeing 737 to become the most-delivered jetliner in history, claiming a title Boeing held for decades.
The European aircraft manufacturer surpassed Boeing’s longstanding record with a milestone delivery that represents not just a numerical achievement but a fundamental realignment in the competitive landscape of global commercial aviation.
The record-breaking delivery came when Airbus handed over an A320 jet to Saudi carrier Flynas on Tuesday. This milestone delivery brought the total number of A320 family aircraft delivered to 12,260 since the plane began service in 1988, according to benchmark data from UK-based consultancy Cirium.
The Cirium data, which is widely used across the aviation industry, confirms Airbus has now claimed the title for the most-delivered commercial aircraft model from its American rival Boeing.
The A320 family has been in service for 37 years, with the first aircraft entering commercial operations in 1988. The achievement represents a remarkable journey from market challenger to industry leader for Airbus, which launched the A320 program decades after Boeing established the 737 as the world’s best-selling jet.
When the A320 entered service in 1988, Boeing’s 737 had already been in production for over two decades and had established itself as the dominant narrow-body aircraft. Airbus’s ability to overcome that head start represents one of commercial aviation’s most significant competitive victories.
The overtaking of Boeing’s record reflects years of intense competition between the two aerospace giants in the lucrative single-aisle aircraft market. The narrow-body segment represents the backbone of most airlines’ fleets, with these aircraft operating the majority of short- and medium-haul routes worldwide.
