Boeing is best known for designing and manufacturing commercial aircraft, but the company also produces helicopters, rockets, satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1916 by William Boeing in Seattle, Washington, the company is one of the largest aerospace manufacturers and defense contractors in the world.
Competitor | Description | Key Insights | Competitive Overlap | Differentiation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus | A European multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells commercial aircraft, helicopters, and space-related equipment. Airbus competes with Boeing in the commercial aircraft market. | Airbus produces a wide range of commercial aircraft, including single-aisle and wide-body jets, for various market segments. | Both compete in the commercial aircraft market, offering a diverse portfolio of passenger and cargo aircraft to airlines and operators. | Airbus’ European origin and its focus on technological advancements in aircraft design. |
Lockheed Martin | An American global aerospace, defense, arms, security, and advanced technologies company known for its military aircraft and space systems. Lockheed Martin competes with Boeing in the defense and space technology market. | Lockheed Martin designs and manufactures military aircraft, including fighter jets and advanced systems for space exploration and defense applications. | Both compete in the defense and space technology market, providing advanced aerospace and defense solutions to government and military customers. | Lockheed Martin’s specialization in military aircraft and space technology. |
Northrop Grumman | An American global aerospace and defense technology company known for its military aircraft, unmanned systems, and advanced defense technologies. Northrop Grumman competes with Boeing in the defense and aerospace technology market. | Northrop Grumman develops and manufactures military aircraft, unmanned systems, and advanced technology solutions for defense and security applications. | Both compete in the defense and aerospace technology market, focusing on military aircraft, unmanned systems, and defense technologies. | Northrop Grumman’s expertise in unmanned systems and advanced defense technology. |
Bombardier | A Canadian multinational aerospace and transportation company that produces regional jets, business aircraft, and rail transportation equipment. Bombardier competes with Boeing in the regional and business aircraft market. | Bombardier manufactures regional aircraft and business jets, offering a range of options for commercial and private aviation customers. | Both compete in the regional and business aircraft market, providing aircraft solutions for commercial and private aviation. | Bombardier’s specialization in regional jets and business aviation. |
Embraer | A Brazilian aerospace company that produces regional jets, military aircraft, and executive jets. Embraer competes with Boeing in the regional and executive aircraft market. | Embraer manufactures regional aircraft, military planes, and executive jets, with a focus on regional and executive aviation markets. | Both compete in the regional and executive aircraft market, offering solutions for regional airlines, defense, and executive travel. | Embraer’s strong presence in the regional jet and executive aviation sectors. |
SpaceX | An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company known for its innovative rocket technology and space exploration missions. SpaceX competes with Boeing in the commercial space exploration market. | SpaceX designs and launches rockets, spacecraft, and satellite systems for commercial and government customers, with a focus on space exploration and transportation. | Both compete in the commercial space exploration market, providing launch and transportation services for satellites, cargo, and crew to space destinations. | SpaceX’s pioneering rocket technology and ambitious space missions. |
Blue Origin | An American privately-funded aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company founded by Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin competes with Boeing in the emerging commercial space industry. | Blue Origin focuses on developing reusable rocket technology and sub-orbital space tourism experiences, aiming to enable access to space for a wide range of customers. | Both compete in the emerging commercial space industry, with a focus on space tourism and reusable launch systems. | Blue Origin’s commitment to reusable launch technology and space tourism. |
United Launch Alliance (ULA) | A joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that provides reliable and cost-effective space launch services for government and commercial customers. ULA competes with other launch service providers in the commercial space launch market. | ULA offers reliable and proven launch services using Atlas and Delta rockets for various missions, including satellite deployment and cargo resupply to the International Space Station (ISS). | ULA competes with other commercial launch service providers in the space launch market, providing reliable and cost-effective launch solutions. | ULA’s partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin and its focus on government and commercial launch services. |
Spirit AeroSystems | An American aerospace manufacturing company that produces aerostructures, including fuselages, wings, and nacelles, for commercial and defense aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems competes with Boeing in the aerospace manufacturing and aerostructures market. | Spirit AeroSystems manufactures aerostructures and components for various commercial and defense aircraft, partnering with major aerospace companies. | Both compete in the aerospace manufacturing and aerostructures market, with Spirit AeroSystems specializing in manufacturing key components for Boeing and other aerospace companies. | Spirit AeroSystems’ expertise in aerostructures manufacturing. |
Honeywell Aerospace | An American multinational conglomerate known for its aerospace, building technologies, and performance materials and technologies divisions. Honeywell Aerospace competes with Boeing in the aerospace technology and components market. | Honeywell Aerospace produces a wide range of aerospace technologies, including avionics, navigation systems, and aircraft components, serving commercial and defense markets. | Both compete in the aerospace technology and components market, providing advanced technologies and components for aerospace applications. | Honeywell Aerospace’s diverse portfolio of aerospace technologies and systems. |
Airbus
Airbus and Boeing have a rivalry stretching back decades, with both dominating the commercial aviation industry at various times.
Airbus is a French manufacturer of commercial aircraft and is one of the largest patent holders in the world with over 370 registered trademarks. Like Boeing, Airbus also designs and manufactures military aerospace products but with a particular focus on turbine helicopters.
In 2019, Airbus delivered 863 jets to clients, overtaking Boeing to become the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer for the first time since 2011.
Embraer
Embraer is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate producing aircraft for commercial, military, agricultural, and executive purposes. Founded in 1959 by Ozires Silva, the company is the third-largest producer of civilian aircraft behind Boeing and Airbus.
In 2018, Boeing announced a joint venture with Embraer which would result in the company owning 80% of the Embraer commercial aviation division. However, this venture was terminated two years later as Boeing dealt with the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 737 Max problems.
Northrup Grumman
Northrup Grumman is an American weapons manufacturer and military technology provider. Revenue for the 2020 financial year was $33.841 billion, with 75% of that coming from defense contracts.
With a history of developing technically superior military aircraft, Boeing faces stiff competition from the company. It successfully developed the B-2 Spirit, the world’s only know stealth bomber. Northrup Grumman is also in the process of developing rocket boosters for NASA and an orbiting telescope observatory.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company.
The company is the world’s largest defense contractor, with a significant proportion of revenue coming from U.S. government contracts. These contracts involve combat and transport aircraft, missile defense systems, fire control systems, energy management solutions, and manned and unmanned ground vehicles.
The company is also a contractor for NASA, where it develops reusable command modules and space surveillance systems.
SpaceX
SpaceX was founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2002. The company designs and manufacturers space rockets, launch vehicles, engines, spacecraft, and communications satellites.
With a focus on space exploration and design, SpaceX is in direct competition with Boeing’s Defense, Space, and Security division. Both companies have been actively competing against each other for NASA contracts for over a decade.
While Boeing has enjoyed a long working history with NASA, SpaceX has recently developed an edge because of its culture, speed, and flexibility to offer a better price. As more credence is given to space exploration in the future, Boeing will need to adopt similar characteristics to remain a major player.
Key takeaways
- Boeing was founded in 1916 by William Boeing. In addition to designing and manufacturing commercial aircraft, Boeing also sells rockets, satellites, military aircraft, and telecommunications infrastructure.
- Boeing’s main competitor is arguably Airbus, which recently took the mantle as the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft. Embraer is also a major player that Boeing tried to acquire before becoming plagued by financial difficulties.
- Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin are the major Boeing competitors in terms of military aircraft and equipment. In Space exploration, SpaceX is threatening to disrupt Boeing’s long-term relationship with NASA.
Key Competitors of Boeing:
- Airbus:
- French manufacturer of commercial aircraft and military aerospace products.
- Competes with Boeing in the commercial aviation industry.
- Became the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer in 2019, surpassing Boeing in deliveries.
- Embraer:
- Brazilian aerospace conglomerate producing aircraft for various purposes.
- Third-largest producer of civilian aircraft behind Boeing and Airbus.
- Joint venture with Boeing’s commercial aviation division was terminated in 2020.
- Northrop Grumman:
- American weapons manufacturer and military technology provider.
- Known for developing advanced military aircraft and systems.
- Generates significant revenue from defense contracts and space-related projects.
- Lockheed Martin:
- American aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company.
- Largest defense contractor globally, involved in various defense and space projects.
- Develops combat aircraft, missile defense systems, space technology, and more.
- SpaceX:
- Founded by Elon Musk in 2002, focused on space transportation and exploration.
- Designs and manufactures rockets, launch vehicles, spacecraft, and more.
- Competes with Boeing in securing NASA contracts and space exploration projects.
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