Boeing

The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that makes airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles for use all over the world. It also helps people lease these products and gives support for them. Boeing is one of the biggest aerospace manufacturers and is the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world.

Boeing started in 1916 when William E. Boeing created it in Seattle, Washington. Today, it is a very important part of making airplanes and space tools. Boeing became its current company after it joined with McDonnell Douglas on August 1, 1997.

As of 2023, Boeing’s main office is in the Crystal City area of Arlington County, Virginia. The company has three big parts: Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and Boeing Global Services. In 2021, Boeing made $62.3 billion in sales and was ranked 54th on the Fortune 500 list and 121st on the Fortune Global 500 list.

History

Main article: History of Boeing

The Boeing Company started in 1916 when William E. Boeing founded a small airplane company in Seattle, Washington. Over the years, Boeing grew by building many types of airplanes, helicopters, and rockets. It also worked on projects for space travel.

In 1996, Boeing merged with another airplane company called McDonnell Douglas. Later, Boeing moved its headquarters from Seattle to Chicago and then to Arlington, Virginia. Boeing continues to make airplanes and aerospace products around the world.

Divisions

Boeing has three main divisions. Boeing Commercial Airplanes builds popular airplanes like the Boeing 737, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, along with special versions for business use. This division has many workers, especially in Everett and Renton, Washington, near Seattle, and also in South Carolina.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security makes military airplanes, helicopters, and missiles. It also creates space systems such as satellites, spacecraft, and rockets for both government and private customers. Finally, Boeing Global Services helps customers by providing support, maintenance, and upgrades for the airplanes and other equipment they have purchased.

Safety defects and airplane crashes

See also: Boeing manufacturing and design issues

Boeing 737 MAX crashes and groundings

Two Boeing 737 MAX airplanes crashed in separate incidents. Because of this, all 737 MAX planes were grounded worldwide. This caused big problems for Boeing.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

Main article: Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

In 2024, a door on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew out during a flight. The plane had to land early. This led to more checks on similar planes.

Potential replacement for the 737 MAX

In 2025, reports said Boeing might make a new airplane to replace the 737 MAX.

Environmental record

In 2006, a study found that a Boeing site in Southern California had harmful waste. Boeing agreed to clean it up with the EPA in 2017, and this work is still happening.

Boeing creates a lot of CO2, which affects the climate. The company is trying to find better ways to fly, like using special fuels that are better for the planet. By 2030, Boeing wants all its planes to use these better fuels and aims to have zero carbon emissions by 2050. In 2022, Boeing worked with Mitsubishi to create carbon-neutral and eco-friendly solutions.

Jet biofuels

Main articles: Aviation biofuel and Algae fuel

Air travel makes a lot of greenhouse gases. Boeing thinks biofuels could cut these gases by a lot. The company has tested many biofuels and worked with others to develop them. Boeing and Air New Zealand also looked at a plant called jatropha as a possible new fuel.

Political contributions, federal contracts, advocacy and criticism

Boeing has received support and contracts from the U.S. government. In the late 2000s, it got help to buy airplanes in several countries. Boeing is also a top contractor for the U.S. federal government, with contracts worth a lot of money.

The company spends money on lobbying and supports political campaigns. It also helps community programs in areas like education, health, and the environment. However, Boeing has faced criticism for some of its business practices.

Financials

Between 2010 and 2018, Boeing grew its operating cash flow from $3 billion to $15.3 billion. They kept their share price steady by getting advance payments from customers.

In 2020, Boeing's revenue dropped because of the pandemic. By 2021, revenue rose again as more jetliners were delivered. By 2024, revenues were $16.9 billion, and Boeing had over 5,500 planes that customers had ordered but not yet received.

Employment numbers

The Boeing Company has many employees around the world. Some of these employees are part of the Technical Fellowship program. This program helps top engineers and scientists guide the company's technical goals. In 2011, reports said that the average salary at Boeing was $76,784.

Corporate governance

In 2022, Rory Kennedy made a film called Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. It was shown on Netflix. The film talked about how Boeing used to be known for its great work and focus on safety.

In May 2022, Boeing moved its main office from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. In July 2024, the company chose a new leader named Kelly Ortberg. He met with officials to talk about Boeing's future plans.