The Boeing Company

Founded in 1916, Boeing (NYSE: BA) is a US multinational aerospace corporation and a global leader in aeronautics, space, and related services. It is also one of the largest defense contractors in the world and generated USD 77.8 billion in revenue in 2023. Headquartered in Northern Virginia (headquartered in Chicago before May 2022), it has customers in over 150 countries. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1962 and reached USD 100 billion in market capitalization for the first time in November 2013. 

Boeing operates through three segments: 1) Commercial Airplanes, 2) Defense, Space & Security, and 3) Global Services. The Commercial Airplanes segment develops, produces, and markets commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, mainly to the global commercial airline industry. It offers aircraft of various families including Boeing’s best-selling product line 737. The Defense, Space & Security segment offers products and services missions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber, covering military aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), space, and missile systems, while the Global Services segment provides services to Boeing’s commercial and defense customers worldwide.

Boeing plays a significant role in the US economy. It is one of the country’s largest exporters, working with over 12,000 businesses and supporting more than a million supplier-related jobs. The US continued to be Boeing’s largest market, generating ~58% of total revenue in 2023, while revenues from the US Government (including foreign military sales through the US Government), accounted for ~37% of total revenue. 

Boeing faced significant reputational damage due to its 737 MAX aircraft following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. This resulted in the 737 MAX aircraft being grounded for 20 months—the longest grounding in aviation history—leaving the company in crisis. The company also encountered several safety issues in 2024, including a United-operated Boeing 737 MAX that veered off a runway, issues with stuck rudder pedals in a Boeing 737 MAX 8, and a panel that detached midair from a 737 Max 9 airplane on an Alaska Airlines flight. As of March 2024, the NTSB and FAA are investigating these incidents. The FAA has grounded all 737 Max 9 aircraft and is also investigating Boeing's quality control system.