A Boeing 737-800 operated by Virgin Australia. Boeing needs to churn out more 737 narrowbodies to shore up its finances.

Boeing delivered jets at a steady clip in February, but shipped out fewer of its profitable 737 MAXs than in January.

The aerospace company delivered 44 planes last month, including 32 737s. That was down from 40 737 deliveries the month before.

Boeing needs to churn out more of the bestselling 737 narrowbodies to shore up its finances. Analysts say Boeing is approaching the 38-per-month rate Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg says is needed for the company to turn cash-flow positive.

February’s tally of deliveries also included five 787 Dreamliners, five of its soon-to-be-discontinued 767s and a pair of 777 freighters. China was a big recipient, accounting for eight of the deliveries.

Boeing booked 13 orders in February, all for MAX planes. Its backlog was 5,528 planes at the end of February.

Excerpt from WSJ
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