SEATTLE, March 10, 2026, 11:42 AM PDT
Boeing on Tuesday flagged a wiring defect affecting certain undelivered 737 MAX aircraft, a setback that could push first-quarter deliveries off schedule. The issue marks yet another production snag for its flagship single-aisle jet, coming as Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg faces mounting pressure to restore confidence in the brand. Boeing shares were off roughly 1.4% by midday in U.S. trading. 1
Timing’s crucial here. Jet makers like Boeing get the bulk of their money when planes reach customers, and in February the company delivered 51 jets—43 of them 737 MAX models—their best performance for that month since 2018. Boeing still faces delays on 787 Dreamliner deliveries, blaming shortages of premium seats for the holdup. 2
Boeing is fixing a batch of 737s after discovering minor wire scratches from a machining slip. Production remains at 42 jets monthly. The company said the MAX fleet already in service is safe and it’s sticking to its target of roughly 500 deliveries for the year. 1
Boeing hasn’t specified if the scratches originated with its supplier or inside its own facilities, but says it’s already notified both customers and the FAA. The MAX, still drawing heavy regulatory scrutiny, faced another setback just last month: the FAA called for manual modifications on 2,119 MAX 8 and 8200 jets to address a separate circuit-breaker issue. 1
Boeing isn’t backing off its recovery strategy, sticking with targets for ramping up 737 production. The company aims to launch a fourth 737 assembly line in Everett this summer, according to 737 program chief Katie Ringgold. She says Boeing is looking to boost output to 63 jets per month, but cautions it will take “over a number of years” to get there. 3
The stumble arrives even as Boeing has been leading Airbus in 2026. Looking at the first two months, Boeing logged 118 net orders after factoring in cancellations and conversions, and handed over 97 jets. Airbus, on the other hand, posted 38 orders and 54 deliveries. 2
Boeing says the issue is contained for now, but there’s a chance it could spread. More jets needing fixes or tougher regulatory scrutiny would put pressure on first-quarter cash, since planemakers pocket most of the revenue only after delivering aircraft. 1
Bloomberg reports RBC’s Ken Herbert flagged the wiring issue as “a near-term headwind” for Boeing’s first quarter—a comment that doesn’t quite line up with the company’s upbeat talk on factory gains. Back in February, supply-chain boss Ihssane Mounir claimed Boeing was spending 40% less time fixing supplier defects than in 2024. 4
