The 2026 Farnborough International Airshow produced aircraft orders and commitments covering 377 commercial jets across Airbus, Boeing and Embraer.
Although the final tally included firm orders, preliminary agreements, exercised options and previously undisclosed deals, the event still delivered several headline-grabbing announcements.
However, this year’s show was notable as much for the conversation surrounding delivery delays as it was for the orders themselves.
With manufacturers already holding extensive backlogs stretching into the next decade, airline executives repeatedly stressed the importance of certainty over delivery schedules.
British Airways chairman and CEO Sean Doyle offered a blunt assessment during the Airline Leaders’ Summit.
“They never come early, put it that way,” he said, noting that BA had expected to be operating the Boeing 777-9 from 2023.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, also said order announcements were not the manufacturer’s main priority at Farnborough.
“Our backlog is incredibly strong. Demand is not our issue,” she told journalists ahead of the show.
Despite that more subdued backdrop, several major customers signed agreements with both Airbus and Boeing.
Riyadh Air opened the week by committing to another 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and exercising purchase rights for six Airbus A350-1000s.
Philippine Airlines followed with agreements covering up to 20 Boeing 787-10s and as many as 14 additional Airbus A350-1000s, while SMBC Aviation Capital announced matching commitments for 100 aircraft from each of the two manufacturers.
The lessor’s deals comprised 60 Boeing 737-10s, 40 737-8s, 65 Airbus A321neos and 35 A320neos.
Embraer also enjoyed a productive show, revealing firm orders for 30 commercial aircraft from Abra Group, Binter, Luxair and Fuji Dream Airlines. Options and purchase rights could eventually increase those commitments to 60 jets.
Other announcements included orders from AerCap, Uganda Airlines, BermudAir, flynas and MSC Air Cargo, alongside several commitments that had previously been recorded against undisclosed customers.
Engine manufacturers were among the biggest winners of the week, securing business covering approximately 2,000 engines. The largest agreement came from IndiGo, which signed a memorandum of understanding with CFM International for more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines.
While Farnborough still generated significant business, the industry’s focus appeared to be shifting. For many airlines, securing a delivery date that can be relied upon has become more important than adding another aircraft to an already substantial order book.
Read the full Farnborough Airshow analysis in the next issue of Airliner World, including the complete order breakdown, the stories behind the major deals and what the show revealed about the challenges facing aircraft manufacturers.
