By Scott Hamilton
Sept. 10, 2025, © Leeham News: The sequel to my book Air Wars, The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing, published today on Amazon (US and selected international markets, including France, the UK, Germany, Japan and elsewhere).
The Rise and Fall of Boeing And The Way Back recounts Boeing’s rise to dominance over the piston airliner era of Douglas Aircraft Co. and Lockheed as the modern jet age began in 1958. Boeing captured more than 60% of the market against Douglas and its corporate successor, the McDonnell Douglas Corp. (MDC). Europe’s upstart, Airbus Industries overtook MDC and in the 2000 decade it passed Boeing to become the Number 1 supplier in the world of commercial jetliners.
Conventional Wisdom of Boeing’s decline
Conventional wisdom marks the 1997 acquisition by Boeing of McDonnell Douglas as the beginning of Boeing’s decline, with Harry Stonecipher—the CEO of MDC who became president and COO of Boeing with the merger being named as the villain. As with most such thesis, the story is more complex. Rise and Fall explores the history of Boeing since the 1997 merger through the 737 MAX crisis, attempts by David Calhoun, named CEO in January 2020, to repair and restore Boeing, and the naming of his successor, Kelly Ortberg to complete the job Calhoun couldn’t do.
Ortberg was named CEO in August 2024, eight months after a door plug on a new Boeing 737-9 MAX blew out minutes after take-off. Only by luck and skill was disaster averted for those on the aircraft. But it sent Boeing into yet another new crisis that cost Calhoun and the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes their jobs and upheaval at the Board of Directors.
Ortberg’s arrival was 34 days before the contract with the powerful labor union, the IAM 751, expired. Members rejected a contract and walked off the job for 57 days. Boeing came close to bankruptcy during this period.
Surviving the strike by the narrowest of margins, Ortberg now is rebuilding Boeing, restoring trust and charting a path for the way back to greatness.
Rise and Fall continues the story told in Air Wars.
The Rise and Fall of Boeing, And The Way Back, is available here.
Air Wars, The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing, is available here.
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