While the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been in full turmoil for months for many reasons, including mainly these problems recently faced by its 737MAX, now part of the public is hesitant whether the company or at least the flights operated by Boeing.
It is not at all obvious, if not impossible, knowing that the number of aircraft of this brand currently flying is around 20,000 of all companies combined, compared to barely more than Airbus. Although it is clear that given the context, the European aircraft manufacturer should significantly increase this lead in the coming months and years.
Meanwhile, which companies fly over all the Boeings?
Mainly American companies (and Ryanair)
Since Boeing is American, it is quite logical that – protectionist (also) – American companies have always been good customers for aircraft manufacturers. Although things are gradually changing.
This is why Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United and American Airlines alone own more than 20% of the Boeing fleet currently flying; Southwest is even the first in the world for the brand with more than 800 aircraft in service by 2024.
And then on the other side of the Atlantic there is also Ryanair with its 500 and several 100% Boeing aircraft…
Boeing 777 and 787
These are wide-body Boeing aircraft.
The 777 is currently represented in more than 1,700 examples in about sixty companies, mainly in the Persian Gulf companies such as Emirates (its first customer) or Qatar Airways, Americans of United or even Air France, which has several dozen for its long couriers.
As for the Boeing 787, which was launched about fifteen years ago and of which there are around a thousand in circulation, it is also the mega American companies, but also the Japanese ANA and JAL, who are the first customers.
737MAX (and more)
If we’ve all heard of the 737MAX lately, Boeing’s 737 series is far from limited to this single reference. We can find for example the 737-700, 800, 900 or even different types of MAX, in the end quite a few models, each with its own characteristics.
Meanwhile, the 737, short- or medium-haul aircraft, is present in many companies around the world. It must be said that the 737 itself in all its forms represents more than two-thirds of Boeing’s production. The main customers are Southwest Airlines, United, American Airlines, Delta and Ryanair, which together make up more than 20% of the fleet of this model.
Do these companies we fly with have a lot of Boeings?
Air France-KLM (and Transavia)
The group has just over 500 aircraft, a third of which are long-range. The whole is dominated by Boeing, which makes up a little more than half of the fleet (mainly thanks to Transavia and its hundred 737-700 or 800); Airbus accounts for 150 aircraft and the small Embraer for the rest.
It should be noted that with Air France only long-haul flights are Boeing, while for medium- and short-haul flights only Airbus.
British Airways
British Airways has a little more than 250 aircraft, both Boeing and Airbus, with roughly 60% in the latter. Like Air France, the British company uses Boeing only for its long-haul flights.
American companies (American, Delta, United)
What was originally Boeing’s preferred (sales) range is shrinking. Because if the aircraft manufacturer still dominates US fleets, Airbus’s share is increasing year by year
For American Airlines, which has a fleet among the Top 3 in the world in terms of the number of aircraft (960), 50% are Airbuses and as many Boeings (including 362 Boeing 737s).
Delta, which has the largest fleet in the world with 985 aircraft, still favors Boeing with more than 500 aircraft (including 382 B737s).
As for United, its 950 aircraft are mostly Boeing with only 178 Airbuses (plus 250 more on order despite everything).
And if we find that Boeing is still very present among these companies, we are still far from 100% Southwest Airlines Boeing 816.
easyJet and Ryanair
The two main low-cost airlines in Europe have diametrically opposed policies when it comes to selection. At easyJet we are 100% Airbus for 320 operational aircraft and 477 more on order, while Ryanair has 547 Boeing 737s in operation and 224 more on order.
Emirates
The Dubai company mixes Airbus and Boeing on its long-haul flights (it has no other types of aircraft). It thus owns 116 Airbus A380s and 133 Boeing 777s, to which 300 more aircraft of this type, mainly from Boeing, should be added in the coming years.
Iberia
There are around a hundred aircraft here, all from the Airbus range.
Lufthansa
Close to 300 aircraft for a German company with about thirty long-haul Boeings.
Qatar Airways
260 aircraft (and almost as many on order) for a mix slightly favorable to the Boeing brand.
Volotea
What has become a staple low-cost in the French skies has been flying 100% Airbus (around forty aircraft) since it phased out its Boeings in 2019.
You can find more infographics at Statista