Executives from Boeing and Airbus poured cold water on speculation about upcoming launches of successor aircraft to their flagship narrow-bodied jets during a major industry conference, emphasizing that significant efficiency gains and certification hurdles must come first amid soaring demand for current models.
Speaking at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) event in Prague, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Marketing, Darren Hulst, stated that while the company continuously explores new technologies, it is “not close to launching a new airplane.” He described a potential 737 successor as “some way off,” with the firm’s immediate focus on certifying four pending projects: two variants of the 737 MAX and the 777-9 passenger jet along with its freighter counterpart, collectively known as the 777X.
The 777X program, already seven years behind schedule, is now expected to receive certification no earlier than 2027, according to recent reports.
Boeing’s challenges are compounded by a lingering safety crisis surrounding the 737 MAX, which has saddled the company with roughly $50 billion in debt and slowed production ramps. In a recent internal memo to staff, CEO Kelly Ortberg reiterated that any decision on a new plane would hinge on market conditions, technological readiness, and the company’s own stability.
This comes shortly after a Wall Street Journal report suggested Boeing was in early talks with engine maker Rolls-Royce about potential powerplants for a 737 follow-on, though executives downplayed any near-term commitments.
Airbus, which has been outselling Boeing—particularly with larger variants of its A320 family—echoed the cautious tone. Francois Collet, the company’s Head of Trading and Asset Management, told attendees that a new design would require a “25 to 30% jump in efficiency” to justify the investment, a milestone that “will take a little bit of time.”
Collet highlighted ongoing interest in advanced engine technologies but stressed that committing to an all-new aircraft remains premature, especially as Airbus prioritizes stabilizing its production lines amid record backlogs.
The duopoly’s best-sellers, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family, trace their roots to designs from the 1980s and 1990s but received major updates with new engines around 2016. These workhorses dominate the single-aisle market, powering short- to medium-haul flights that account for the bulk of global air travel.
With airlines facing unprecedented demand—fueled by post-pandemic recovery and fleet modernization pressures—the question of when (or if) these aging platforms will be replaced has loomed large. Analysts broadly agree that a full generational shift is unlikely before the late 2020s, giving both manufacturers breathing room to address supply chain woes and regulatory scrutiny.
The Prague remarks underscore the intensifying rivalry between the two aerospace giants, where Airbus holds a sales edge but Boeing seeks to regain ground through reliability improvements.