Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Change Incorporation, Configuration Control, and the High Cost of Getting It Wrong
Editor’s note: Boeing spent years doing rework on the 737 MAX and the 787 after the former’s grounding following two fatal crashes and the latter’s production flaws. “Shadow factories” began the 737’s rework after the 21-month grounding was… Read More
Boeing says 1Q deliveries will be lower than forecast, but will catch up later
By Scott Hamilton March 17, 2026, © Leeham News: Boeing’s deliveries in the first quarter may be lower than originally forecast, but will catch up throughout the remainder of this year, the company’s chief financial officer said today…. Read More
Boeing planning to activate North Line with 737-8s/9s in advance of MAX 10 certification
By Scott Hamilton Jan. 20, 2026, © Leeham News: Boeing is preparing to activate its North Line for 737 production by mid-year, with 737-8s and 737-9s first to be assembled as a prelude to its intended purpose: assembling… Read More
COMAC struggled in 2025; 2026 won’t be much better
Subscription Required By Scott Hamilton Jan. 15, 2026, © Leeham News: COMAC had a rough year in 2025. It’s unlikely that this year will be much better. COMAC is China’s state-owned commercial aerospace company. It builds the C909… Read More
Boeing reports best airliner delivery year since 2018
By Scott Hamilton Jan. 13, 2026, © Leeham News: Boeing delivered 600 airliners last year, its best year since 2018—the last normal year before the 737 MAX grounding began in March 2020. In 2018, Boeing delivered 813 airliners…. Read More
“Rise and Fall of Boeing and the Way Back” picked by Royal Aeronautical Society as a top book for Christmas
By Scott Hamilton My book, “The Rise and Fall of Boeing and the Way Back”, has been named as one of its top picks of aviation books by the Royal Aeronautical Society for Christmas 2025. “Following on from… Read More
Boeing CFO Jay Malave: Priorities are debt, investments, then shareholders
By Karl Sinclair Dec. 3, 2025, © Leeham News: Boeing’s chief financial officer outlined the priorities for the use of cash going forward, and it reaffirms what has been obvious but largely unstated: debt reduction is the top… Read More
Boeing’s “hangover” of the MAX is over, says former acting FAA administrator who dealt with crisis
By Scott Hamilton Dec. 3, 2025, © Leeham News, Washington (DC): Boeing’s “hangover” and PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome) following the 737 MAX crisis of 2019 and beyond is over, says the former acting administrator of the Federal Aviation… Read More
Flydubai orders 737 MAX, in addition to A320neos, at Dubai Air Show
Nov. 19, 2025, © Leeham News: Yesterday flydubai ordered the 150 Airbus A320neo family at the Dubai Air Show. Today, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 75 Boeing 737 MAXes and options for 75 more. Flydubai… Read More
Impact on Boeing’s China deliveries under Trump’s latest tariff tiff will be minimal
By Scott Hamilton Oct. 23, 2025, © Leeham News: President Donald Trump ratcheted up the trade war with China when he announced on Oct. 12 that a 100% tariff would be levied on imports to the US. This… Read More