The long-standing competition in the aviation world has reached a historic turning point. Airbus’s popular A320 is poised to dethrone the Boeing 737, which has held the top spot for nearly 40 years. Next month, the A320 could seize the title of best-selling passenger aircraft in aviation history.

The Airbus A320 is ending the Boeing 737’s dominance

According to data from consulting firm Cirium, total Airbus A320 deliveries reached 12,155 as of August 2025. This number is only 20 fewer than the Boeing 737. This means the A320 is expected to break the record within the next month.

When Airbus first announced the A320 project, the Boeing 737 was already the industry leader. By the time the A320 was first produced in 1988, Boeing had delivered around 1,500 737s worldwide. However, the situation changed after the 2000s. The A320 family has begun to surpass the Boeing 737 in annual deliveries.

In 2019, Airbus also surpassed Boeing in total orders. Today, the A320 is just one step away from becoming the best-selling commercial passenger aircraft in aviation history.

Behind this success lies the A320’s next-generation technologies and efficiency. The newest member of the A320 family, the A320neo, has become a more economical option for airlines with its fuel-efficient engines and aerodynamic improvements.

Meanwhile, the problems experienced by the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and the lengthy grounding process have slowed Boeing’s order and delivery processes. This has given Airbus a significant advantage in the market and paved the way for the A320 to seize the lead.