Boeing to Boost 737 Max Production to 42 Jets Monthly

Boeing is preparing to increase production of its 737 Max family of aircraft from 38 to 42 jets per month starting in October 2025, according to a report by Bloomberg. The move marks the manufacturer’s first significant production ramp-up in over a year and signals cautious progress toward recovery following a series of safety and quality setbacks.

The increase, though modest, represents an important milestone for Boeing as it works to rebuild credibility with regulators, airlines, and suppliers. Sources familiar with the plan said the company intends to maintain the 42-jet-per-month rate for about six months to ensure both Boeing’s workforce and its global supply chain can handle the additional load without compromising safety or production quality. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will closely monitor the ramp-up to confirm that manufacturing standards remain consistent.

If successful, Boeing plans to raise output further in April 2026 and again toward the end of that year, potentially reaching as many as 53 aircraft per month by late 2026. The gradual production increases are part of Boeing’s long-term effort to restore its financial footing by accelerating deliveries of its best-selling narrowbody jet. Analysts note that higher production is crucial for improving Boeing’s cash flow and reducing its multi-billion-dollar debt, which has ballooned in recent years due to delays, penalties, and quality-control issues.

“Safety drives everything we do,” an FAA spokesperson told Bloomberg, emphasizing that the agency will continue rigorous oversight of Boeing’s production lines. The FAA’s approval is mandatory before any further production increases can occur.

Boeing currently produces the 737 Max at a capped rate of 38 units per month—a restriction imposed by the FAA in early 2024 following the January 5 Alaska Airlines incident, when a door plug separated from a 737-9 shortly after takeoff. That event triggered a renewed investigation into Boeing’s manufacturing practices and temporarily halted several production activities.

In a recent development, the FAA partially restored Boeing’s authority to issue airworthiness certificates for newly built 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner jets, allowing the company to share certification duties with the agency under strict supervision. This limited reinstatement marks a small step toward normalizing Boeing’s relationship with regulators, though full authority remains withheld pending further audits.

Meanwhile, speculation about Boeing’s next-generation narrowbody aircraft resurfaced when The Wall Street Journal reported that the company had begun developing a successor to the 737 Max. Boeing swiftly denied the claim, calling it “misleading,” but industry analysts say discussions about a clean-sheet single-aisle design are likely ongoing within the company’s long-term strategy teams.

As Boeing works to stabilize production and restore trust, the upcoming ramp-up to 42 aircraft per month represents a pivotal test of its manufacturing discipline. If the plan proceeds smoothly, the increase could set the stage for a more robust recovery in 2026—crucial for both Boeing’s balance sheet and the global airline industry still awaiting delayed aircraft deliveries.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, bloomberg.com