Boeing 737 MAX Deliveries Rise to 60 Following Rate Hike

Boeing Production Ramp-Up and Delivery Recovery

Boeing 737 MAX deliveries reached 60 commercial aircraft in May 2026, signaling a significant recovery in the company’s manufacturing output. This figure represents a 33% year-over-year increase compared to May 2025, according to the Boeing May 2026 Orders and Deliveries Report. Of the total aircraft delivered during the month, 51 were 737 MAX narrowbody jets, confirming that the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has successfully navigated recent production constraints.

The improvement follows the resolution of a Boeing wiring issue that surfaced in March 2026. The defect, which involved minor abrasions on roughly 25 undelivered jets, had temporarily slowed handover timelines. Following the remediation of these units, Boeing has begun proceeding with its planned 737 MAX production rate increase, moving from 42 to 47 jets per month. This transition was formally approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a rigorous safety and quality capstone review.

Regulatory Oversight and Production Stability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained strict oversight of the 737 MAX program since the January 2024 door plug incident, which initially resulted in a production cap of 38 jets per month. The recent approval to scale to 47 aircraft per month reflects the FAA updates on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and the company's progress in demonstrating improved quality control processes. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg noted in late May 2026 that the company is confident in its ability to safely scale output, stating, "We're off and rolling now for the 47-a-month rate, and we should be there in the next couple of months."

Despite the positive momentum, some aviation safety watchdogs continue to express concern. These alternative perspectives highlight ongoing debates among lawmakers and safety advocates regarding whether the current production ramp-up may outpace the resolution of systemic safety culture issues within the organization.

Stakeholder Impact and Supply Chain Integration

The stabilization of the 737 MAX line is critical for airlines awaiting deliveries, such as Southwest Airlines and Ryanair, which faced minor short-term delays during the wiring rework period. For these carriers, the shift to a predictable 47-per-month output is essential for fleet planning. Simultaneously, suppliers like CFM International, the provider of the LEAP-1B engine, are scaling production to align with Boeing's increased airframe output to prevent supply chain bottlenecks.

Narrowbody Production Recovery and Future Capacity

To support long-term growth, Boeing is actively expanding its footprint in Everett, Washington. The company is opening a fourth 737 MAX final assembly line, which is designed to support the target of reaching 52 jets per month by 2027. This expansion is expected to create hundreds of new manufacturing jobs, strengthening the company's regional industrial base.

Timeline for Production Scaling

Boeing has established a clear roadmap for its production milestones throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. The opening of the fourth final assembly line, known as the North Line, is confirmed for July 6, 2026. Following this, the company aims to achieve its target production rate of 52 aircraft per month by 2027. Additionally, the industry is tracking the expected FAA certification of the 737 MAX 10 variant, which is currently slated for late 2026.

Why the 47-Per-Month Rate Matters

This production milestone serves as a key indicator of Boeing’s operational health and its ability to meet contractual obligations to global airline customers. By successfully managing the transition from the post-2024 regulatory cap to a higher output volume, Boeing is demonstrating the efficacy of its revised quality management systems. For the broader industry, this ramp-up is a vital step in addressing the current narrowbody capacity shortage that has constrained growth across major trans-continental markets.