Boeing poised for FIA after tapering activity in 2024 due to Alaska 737 incident

Boeing will be attending this year’s Farnborough Airshow with a more confident approach after tapering its commercial activity in 2024 due to the Alaska 737-9 door plug incident.

In July 2024, Boeing said its focus would be on “safety, quality and meeting customer commitments” and that it would reduce commercial planes on display and flight demonstrations.

“The best way to build trust is through high-quality performance in our factories, one airplane at a time,” Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing Global, said at the time.

On July 13, 2026, Boeing laid out its plans for Farnborough Airshow 2026, with Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s CEO, saying he was looking forward to “reconnecting with their customers and suppliers”.

“Every day is an opportunity to continue building trust as we focus on safety, quality and on-time performance,” Ortberg said.

Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at FIA 2024 (AeroTime)He added that Boeing would also be “strengthening its international partnerships built upon the full range of our commercial, defense and services capabilities”.

Following the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 8 incident in January 2024, Boeing was forced to take a root and branch approach to its safety and quality procedures.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also limited production levels at the Boeing factories, and the Boeing boss Dave Calhoun moved on from the company.

This year Boeing’s production and delivery rate is much improved with the planemaker finding its feet under Ortberg’s leadership following a challenging period.

Boeing displays at this year’s Farnborough Airshow

Although Boeing will not be exhibiting any aircraft itself, the planemaker will be represented through GE Aerospace’s 747-400 flying testbed and a Qatar Airways 777-300.

Qatar Airways also exhibited a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2024 despite the US planemaker not presenting a commercial aircraft itself.

For the first time, the uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft will debut on static display at the airshow.

A US Army CH-47F Chinook and UK Joint Aviation Command CH-47 Chinook will also be exhibited for visitors to see.

A full-size 777X interior section will be presented and so will a T-7 flight deck simulator, providing a hands-on experience of the fighter trainer’s performance and capabilities.

Boeing will also highlight its services offerings for government and commercial customers including parts, modifications, cabin products, digital services and training solutions.

There will be the hope that Boeing is far more active with order announcements at this year’s airshow.

In 2024, against the backdrop of the Alaska incident, Boeing announced only 96 firm commercial aircraft orders and commitments, plus 22 options while Airbus received 164 orders.

AeroTime will be on the ground at Farnborough Airshow 2026 to bring you the latest breaking news and industry unveilings.

To get in touch regarding the airshow email: ian.molyneaux@aerotime.aero

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