New York, January 20, 2026, 14:48 EST — Regular session
Boeing shares slipped slightly Tuesday after Ethiopian Airlines placed an order for nine 787-9 Dreamliners and finalized the purchase of 11 737 MAX jets, the companies confirmed. The stock traded around $247.13 in the afternoon, down about 0.2%, after fluctuating between $240.08 and $248.43. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies as part of our strategic vision to advance sustainable aviation.” 1
The order itself is modest, arriving as investors sift through the gap between demand headlines and actual deliveries. For Boeing, the key question remains whether it can turn its full order book into delivered planes—and cash in hand.
The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-aisle jet designed for long-haul flights. The 737 MAX, by contrast, is a narrowbody, single-aisle aircraft that dominates short-haul routes and drives a large chunk of the sector’s volume.
Boeing confirmed that two orders finalized in December 2025 bring Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing backlog to 20 planes, supporting the carrier’s growing network of 145 international destinations. “We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet,” Tasew said in a statement. Boeing’s vice president for Commercial Sales and Marketing in Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, described the 787 family as “a game-changer.” Boeing added that the 787 cuts fuel consumption and emissions by 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces. 2
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. That’s significant since jetmakers usually receive most of a plane’s payment only upon delivery, not when the order is first announced.
With international travel demand firming and operating costs climbing, airlines are eager to secure more fuel-efficient planes. Delivery slots remain scarce, prompting carriers to commit to capacity years in advance.
Widebody orders help Boeing keep suppliers and customers in sync, but they don’t promise immediate results. The real bottleneck lies in production speed, where any hiccup quickly impacts shipment schedules and working capital.
The downside risks remain. Parts shortages, quality issues, or stricter regulatory scrutiny could disrupt production. Airlines might also push back deliveries if traffic dips or financing costs rise.
Traders are now focused on upcoming data and any shifts in production tone, beyond just new orders. With Airbus standing as the sole major competitor in the long-haul segment, changes in airline buying patterns continue to sway market sentiment.
Boeing’s upcoming milestone is its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, set for Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Investors will be watching closely for the 2026 delivery and cash flow outlook, which could shape BA’s trajectory into next week. 3
