Boeing reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2026 on October 27, 2026, posting a 4% year-on-year increase in total quarterly revenue to $24.2 billion, driven mainly by stronger performance across its defense and services divisions. The aircraft manufacturer recorded a net loss of $116 million for the period, marking a substantial reduction from the $5.3 billion loss recorded during the same period a year earlier, when operations were hit by charges on the 777X program. Driven by continued customer demand, Boeing closed the third quarter with a total company backlog reaching a record $745 billion.
The third quarter marked major regulatory milestones for Boeing's commercial aircraft line, with both remaining 737 MAX variants securing key approvals. The 737-7 received amended type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during the third quarter, and the larger 737-10 model achieved its certification in October 2026. Executive Chief Kelly Ortberg noted that these certification milestones reflect important progress as the manufacturer continues to focus on safety, operational quality, and disciplined execution.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes recorded third-quarter revenue of $10.7 billion with an operating loss of $697 million, impacted by delivery mix and projected costs related to production rate adjustments. The commercial division delivered 161 airplanes during the third quarter, up from 160 delivered a year earlier, bringing commercial deliveries for the first nine months of 2026 to 475 aircraft. Deliveries were led by the single-aisle 737 family, which accounted for 124 aircraft handed over during the quarter. The 737 program is working toward a stable monthly production rate of 47 aircraft, while the 787 program remains stable at eight per month.
Commercial order activity remained robust throughout the third quarter, with Boeing booking 300 net commercial orders. Major international carriers placing orders during the quarter included Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Lufthansa. This order momentum lifted Boeing's commercial backlog to over 6,300 aircraft, valued at a record $612 billion. Furthermore, certification flight testing for the 777-9 aircraft continued during the quarter, with Boeing confirming that the 777X program remains on track for its initial customer delivery in 2027.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security posted third-quarter revenue of $7.9 billion, representing a 15% increase, while operating earnings reached $492 million. During the quarter, the U.S. Navy selected Boeing to design, build, and deliver its F/A-XX next-generation fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, Boeing Global Services generated $5.6 billion in quarterly revenue with an 18.3% operating margin, securing a U.S. Army contract to support the AH-64 Apache fleet and ending the quarter with a $33 billion order backlog.