Boeing Takes Flight Again: Is This Their 'I Am Iron Man' Moment?

From Zero to Sixty (Planes That Is!)

Alright people let’s talk about Boeing. You know the guys who make the things that fly... hopefully without any impromptu open air experiences at 30,000 feet. Apparently they managed to crank out 60 airplanes last month. Sixty! That's their best effort since December 2023. Feels like ages ago doesn't it? It's like going from 'Iron Man 2' to 'Endgame' in terms of plot twists and turns. They're trying to get those 737 Max jets rolling off the assembly line faster than I can down a bottle of palladium free arc reactor fuel... which by the way is a huge win for everyone involved.

Door Plug Debacle: A Minor Setback (Or Was It?)

Remember that whole door plug incident? Yeah the one that turned a routine flight into a slightly terrifying skydiving experience? Turns out that slowed things down a tad. Who knew? But hey they're bouncing back. Forty two of those 60 planes were 737 Maxes heading to airlines like Southwest Alaska and United. So next time you’re sipping a mimosa at 30,000 feet just remember you're potentially hurtling through the sky in a Boeing product. No pressure!

Ortberg's Optimism: Can He Stick the Landing?

CEO Kelly Ortberg who’s been at the helm since last August claims they’re making progress on production rates and quality. 'I am Iron Man,' I mean 'We are Boeing!'... or something like that. He’s confident they can ramp up production even further. I like his style. Confidence is key especially when you’re dealing with… you know… *flying death machines*. (Just kidding! Mostly.)

Second Quarter Surge: A Glimmer of Hope

Boeing delivered 150 airplanes in the second quarter marking their best performance since 2018. Before the uh *incidents*. You know the ones that grounded the jets and made everyone question their travel plans. It’s a start folks. A small jet powered start. Maybe they can finally get back to profitability – something they haven’t seen since before the whole… 'boom' situation. As Rhodey would say 'Next time baby!'.

Airbus Advantage: The Rivalry Rages On

All these problems? They’ve given Airbus a pretty significant lead. It's like the Pepsi to Boeing's Coke but with more actual lift off capability. Look competition is good. It keeps everyone on their toes. But let’s be honest I’d rather have Stark Industries building planes. We’d have holographic flight attendants and self folding tray tables. Think about it Boeing! Upgrade your standards. I'm just saying.

The FAA Factor: Bureaucracy in the Sky

They're currently capped at producing 38 Max aircraft a month and they need FAA approval to go higher. Ortberg’s feeling confident about reaching 42 jets a month. Let's hope the FAA doesn't throw a wrench into the works unless that wrench is made of vibranium and comes with a built in cup holder. They booked 116 gross orders in June or 70 net orders which is like saying 'I love you 3000' but then admitting you owe someone child support but hey progress is progress! With a backlog of 5,953 they've got plenty to keep 'em busy. They’re reporting second quarter financial results on July 29th. Let’s see if Ortberg can deliver on his promises or if this whole thing is just another one of those 'too good to be true' moments. I'll be watching with a martini naturally.