Boeing has reported a USD 5.4 billion loss for the third quarter, primarily due to a USD 4.9 billion charge tied to the delayed certification of its 777X aircraft, which has now pushed deliveries to 2027. Despite a 30% revenue increase to USD 23.3 billion, driven by higher commercial aircraft deliveries, the company continues to face mounting challenges, marking its 17th consecutive quarterly loss.

The delay in the 777X program has significantly impacted Boeing’s financials. The company had expected to advance the next phase of certification flights this year but has deferred them to 2027 to complete additional preparatory analyses required by US regulators.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the setback but expressed optimism about the company’s progress.

“While we are disappointed in the 777X schedule delay, the airplane continues to perform well in flight testing, and we remain focused on the work ahead,” Ortberg said.

Ortberg also pointed to the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to increase monthly production of the 737 MAX as a sign of recovery and confirmed that Boeing achieved positive free cash flow during the quarter, a metric closely followed by investors.

However, the aviation giant continues to face operational and reputational hurdles stemming from past safety incidents, including the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which prompted tighter FAA scrutiny over all new certifications.

According to Briefing.com, Boeing’s latest results show “a mix of clear progress and lingering challenges,” emphasizing the company must still prove that its turnaround efforts can lead to consistent profitability.

In contrast, European rival Airbus reported a 14% rise in profits to USD 1.1 billion, highlighting the gap in financial performance between the two aerospace leaders. However, Boeing has regained a lead in aircraft orders for 2025, recording 774 net orders by the end of September, compared to Airbus’s 514.

Under the revised timeline, Boeing expects commercial deliveries of the 777X to begin in 2027, delayed from the earlier 2026 estimate. The program is expected to remain a cash drain for the initial years after launch but could turn cash flow positive by 2029, according to Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave.

Meanwhile, Boeing is also dealing with a labor strike at its St. Louis defense operations, where over 3,000 workers recently rejected the company’s latest contract proposal. Ortberg stated that the facility continues to operate under contingency plans, with production running at roughly the same rate.

Union leaders, however, criticized Boeing’s decision to recruit replacement workers, citing the complexity of precision manufacturing and the value of experienced labor.

“These are complex, precision-built products and they cannot replace the skilled, experienced IAM members who have dedicated their careers to this work,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 said in a statement.

Shares of Boeing closed down 4.4%, as investors weighed the company’s progress against ongoing financial and operational setbacks.