SEATTLE, WA—Boeing has resumed production of its best-selling 737 MAX jet after a seven-week strike that ended in early November. The cautious restart comes as the planemaker works to stabilize operations, rebuild trust among suppliers, and navigate heightened regulatory oversight.
News of the production restart was first reported by Reuters on Monday, with Boeing confirming that fresh fuselages had entered its Renton factory near Seattle. The company plans to resume production of its 767, 777, and 777X jets in the coming days, signaling broader recovery efforts.
In November, Boeing delivered just 13 commercial jets—less than a quarter of the 56 aircraft delivered during the same month last year. This decline follows the production shutdown caused by the strike involving 33,000 factory workers. Deliveries were also down from 14 in October, illustrating the slow ramp-up in operations.
Among November’s deliveries were nine 737s, two 777 freighters, and two 787-9s. Notable customers included United Airlines, which received two 737 MAX jets and one 787. Boeing’s 787 production in South Carolina was unaffected by the strike, though supply chain issues limited deliveries to two widebody jets for the month.
Despite the challenges, Boeing booked 49 gross orders in November, including 34 for the 737 MAX. However, the company reported 14 cancellations, including 14 MAX orders from Germany-based TUI, which opted to lease planes instead. Year-to-date, Boeing has accumulated 427 gross orders and 370 net orders after cancellations and conversions.
The restart of 737 MAX production reflects a deliberate strategy by Boeing to prioritize safety, quality, and worker training. This approach follows heightened scrutiny from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration after a door plug incident on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 earlier this year.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker praised Boeing for avoiding the immediate production restart practices of the past but emphasized that the company still has work to do to achieve its safety culture goals. Daily tasks at the Renton factory include thorough inspections and note-taking by FAA officials, underscoring the oversight the planemaker faces.
While Boeing aims to ramp up 737 MAX production to 38 jets per month by year-end, skepticism among suppliers and ongoing delays threaten this target. Some suppliers are hesitant to rehire workers or invest in capacity, citing uncertainties about Boeing’s production plans.
“Supplier trust in Boeing rates is at a low point,” said Glenn McDonald of AeroDynamic Advisory. Smaller suppliers, in particular, are feeling the strain, with delayed component processing and staffing shortages hampering their operations.
The production restart of the 737 MAX, along with plans to resume 767, 777, and 777X production, marks a significant step in Boeing’s recovery efforts. However, rebuilding momentum will take time, as reflected in the November delivery numbers and supplier skepticism.
With 4,200 outstanding orders for the 737 MAX, stabilizing production is critical to Boeing’s financial recovery and long-term success. The company has emphasized that its cautious approach is designed to meet both regulatory and customer expectations while fostering a safer and more reliable production system.
