Boeing (BA) Draws Fresh 787 Order and 737 MAX Progress Amid Broad Analyst Confidence

NYSE: BA · April 22, 2026 · 3 min read

Boeing (NYSE: BA) shares fell $5.92, or 2.63%, to $219.16 on Wednesday, pulling back from a prior close of $225.08, even as two meaningful operational developments reinforced the company's recovery narrative: a fresh widebody commitment from Ethiopian Airlines and the formal launch of certification trials for the 737 MAX engine anti-ice fix.

Key Developments at a Glance

• Ethiopian Airlines has fully exercised an order for six additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, expanding its 787-9 fleet for long-haul passenger and cargo routes
• Boeing has begun formal certification trials of the engine anti-ice (EAI) design fix on its lead 737 MAX 10 test aircraft, according to Air Current
• Current share price of $219.16 sits within a 52-week range of $156.47 – $254.35
• Market cap: $172.2B | Trailing P/E: 88.4x | Forward P/E: 50.1x
• Revenue growth (YoY): 57.1% | Gross margin: 4.8% | Operating margin: -3.2%

What's Driving the Story

The Ethiopian Airlines order is a concrete signal of sustained widebody demand. The carrier's decision to fully exercise its option for six additional 787-9 aircraft — building on a previously announced widebody commitment — reflects real-world airline confidence in Boeing's (NYSE: BA) long-haul platform at a time when widebody deliveries have faced scrutiny. For investors, this type of order conversion from option to firm commitment carries more weight than a fresh announcement.

Meanwhile, the formal start of certification trials for the 737 MAX engine anti-ice fix addresses one of the more persistent regulatory overhangs on Boeing's (NYSE: BA) near-term delivery pipeline. Per Air Current, trials are now underway on the lead 737 MAX 10 test aircraft — a procedural milestone that, if successful, would clear a path toward broader MAX family deliveries. The company's operating margin remains negative at -3.2%, underscoring that execution on certification and delivery remains the central financial lever.

Wall Street View

Analyst sentiment on Boeing (NYSE: BA) remains firmly constructive. As of April 1, 2026, the consensus stands at 13 Strong Buy, 18 Buy, and 6 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or Strong Sell calls. Compared to the prior month — 13 Strong Buy, 17 Buy, 7 Hold — the distribution has nudged incrementally more positive, with one Hold converting to Buy. The breadth of bullish coverage suggests the Street views current challenges as cyclical rather than structural.

Investor Takeaway

With revenue growth running at 57.1% year-over-year and a forward P/E of 50.1x, the market is pricing in a meaningful operational recovery — one that hinges on certification progress and delivery execution. The Ethiopian Airlines order and the formal start of 737 MAX anti-ice trials are incremental steps in the right direction, and the analyst community has taken note with a near-unanimous bullish stance. Investors should monitor upcoming regulatory updates on the MAX certification timeline as the single most direct catalyst for margin improvement.