Boeing targets 52 737 Max jets a month in second half of 2027

Boeing will not significantly increase output of its 737 Max aircraft until the second half of 2027 because of slower wing production.

Boeing sets new 737 Max production target. CEO Kelly Ortberg said on the company’s quarterly earnings call Tuesday that the company is targeting a rate of 52 planes a month in the second half of 2027. The manufacturer is currently producing about 47 737 Max aircraft per month. Ortberg noted last month that stabilizing production was taking longer than expected due to the pace of wing output.

Stock falls on production update. Boeing shares reportedly dropped about 9% during the earnings call. Ortberg told CNBC’s Phil LeBeau that the company would proceed at the right pace. “I know everybody wants us to go faster but we’re going to do it right,” he said.

Third-quarter results show narrower loss. Boeing reported a net loss of $116 million for the three months ended reportedly Sept. 30, compared with a $5.34 billion loss a year earlier. Revenue reportedly rose 4% to $24.19 billion. Free cash flow increased to $464 million from $238 million in the same quarter of 2025. The defense unit posted revenue of $7.94 billion, up reportedly 15% from a year earlier.

Commercial aircraft unit posts operating loss. The commercial airplanes segment delivered 161 jets in the quarter, one more than a year earlier. Revenue in the unit reportedly fell 3% to $10.72 billion. The segment recorded a negative operating margin of reportedly 6.5% due to delivery mix, higher projected costs for future rate changes, and supply chain expenses.

Ortberg stresses stabilization priority. In a note to staff, Ortberg said expectations are rising and the company must elevate performance through lean improvements while maintaining safety and quality. He added that the manufacturer has more work to do.