Boeing Eyes 737 MAX Production Hike to 52 Jets Per Month, Prioritizes Stability Over New Orders

Boeing is studying a new production increase for its best-selling 737 MAX aircraft after recently gaining regulatory approval to raise output, but its primary focus at the Farnborough Airshow is on manufacturing stability rather than new sales announcements.

Production Goals Take Center Stage

Speaking to reporters on Sunday ahead of the major industry event, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the planemaker is looking ahead to its next production milestone. The company is currently focused on solidifying its output at the recently approved rate before moving higher.

Key production points include:

• Current FAA-approved rate: 47 jets per month, authorized in May.
• Immediate priority: Stabilizing production at this level to ensure quality and safety.
• Next potential rate under study: 52 jets per month.

"I’ve got the team focused on stabilising at 47," Pope said, according to Reuters. "Once we get to 47, we’ll go to 52, and then we’ll just keep studying that."

A Shift in Airshow Strategy

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In a notable departure from the deal-making that typically dominates international airshows, Pope stated that securing new orders is not the company's main objective at Farnborough. She said the priority is to improve aircraft production, "not order announcement."

This strategic shift reflects the company's robust order book. "Backlog is incredibly strong. Demand is not our issue," Pope explained. Instead of focusing on sales, Boeing's leadership plans to use the event to "listen" to its customers and suppliers, understand their challenges, and provide product updates.

Context: Regulatory Scrutiny and Recovery

Boeing's intense focus on manufacturing quality follows a period of significant regulatory oversight. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a production cap on the 737 MAX program after a mid-air emergency in 2024 revealed widespread safety and quality control lapses.

The FAA's approval to increase the production rate to 47 jets per month in May was a critical step in the company's recovery. However, the planemaker remains under pressure to demonstrate consistent, high-quality output as it works to clear its substantial backlog and restore confidence with airlines and the flying public.