Airbus and Boeing Benefit as Wide-Body Jet Market Rebounds Toward 2030 Profit Growth
The global wide-body jet market is experiencing a strong resurgence after nearly a decade of stagnation, fueled by rising aircraft prices, renewed airline demand, and a reversal in supply-demand dynamics. Industry analysts now project that profit margins for leading aircraft programs, particularly the Airbus A350, could surpass 15% by 2030.
Market Recovery After Prolonged Slump
The downturn began in 2014, triggered by an oversupply of Boeing 787 aircraft and worsened by production cuts for the Airbus A330. The termination of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 programs further weakened the market. The COVID-19 pandemic added pressure, forcing manufacturers to scale back production of both the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.
Today, with international air travel rebounding, the wide-body jet sector is showing clear signs of recovery. Aircraft values are climbing, and manufacturers are seeing a surge in new orders.
Airbus A350 Drives Market Momentum
A key indicator of the recovery is the rising market value of the Airbus A350-900, which has exceeded $160 million in 2024—up from less than $140 million in 2022. This increase reflects stronger demand from airlines and improved performance from engine suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.
Since December 2023, Airbus has secured over 270 new wide-body orders, achieving a book-to-bill ratio above 2.5. Major carriers including Saudia, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, and IndiGo have placed significant orders, signaling confidence in long-haul route expansion.
Profit Margins Set to Climb
The influx of high-value orders is expected to drive profitability for aircraft manufacturers. Analysts forecast that the Airbus A350 program will reach profit margins similar to the A330 by 2026–2027. More notably, beginning in 2028, as high-priced orders enter the delivery phase, pre-tax margins—excluding research and development costs—are projected to exceed 15% by 2030.
This optimistic outlook reflects the wide-body jet market’s renewed strength and positions the sector for sustained growth and profitability over the next decade.
For the past two years (2024-2025), here’s a recap of wide-body aircraft orders for Airbus and Boeing by model:
Recap of Airbus and Boeing Widebody orders (2024 & 2025 July)
2024 Widebody orders
- Airbus A330neo orders 82
- Airbus A350 orders 142
- Boeing 777F orders 36
- Boeing 777X orders 30
- Boeing 787 orders 63
2025 Widebody orders
- Airbus A330neo orders 71
- Airbus A350 orders 94
- Boeing 787 orders 242
- Boeing 777X orders 70
- Boeing 777F orders 13.
Overall Trends
Airbus has maintained a strong position in the wide-body market, particularly with the continued success of the A350 and a surprising resurgence in A330neo orders.
Boeing has experienced some setbacks, including production issues affecting the 737 Max and delays with the 777X program. However, Boeing has also seen strong demand for its 787 Dreamliner and a recovery in 777F orders.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=airbus, https://airguide.info/?s=boeing
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ainvest.com