Boeing is a multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace products, including airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles. It also provides leasing and product support services. Boeing ranks among the world's largest aerospace manufacturers, holding the fourth position among defense contractors globally based on 2022 revenue. Additionally, it stands as the largest exporter in the United States in terms of dollar value. Founded by William Boeing in Seattle in 1916, the current corporation was formed in 1997 through a merger with McDonnell Douglas.
July 15, 1916: Boeing Founded
On July 15, 1916, William Boeing founded Pacific Aero Products Company in Seattle, Washington, which would later become The Boeing Company.
1916: Pacific Aero Products Company Founded
William E. Boeing founded Pacific Aero Products Company in 1916 in Seattle, Washington.
1917: Boeing Airplane Company is Born
In 1917, Pacific Aero Products Company was renamed Boeing Airplane Company.
1928: Boeing Airplane & Transport Corporation is Formed
In 1928, William Boeing formed Boeing Airplane & Transport Corporation.
1929: United Aircraft and Transport Corporation is Created
In 1929, Boeing Airplane & Transport Corporation was renamed United Aircraft and Transport Corporation and acquired several aircraft manufacturers.
1931: United Airlines is Formed
In 1931, United Aircraft and Transport Corporation merged four smaller airlines into United Airlines.
1934: Aircraft Manufacturing Separated from Air Transportation
In 1934, regulations required the separation of aircraft manufacturing from air transportation, leading to Boeing Airplane Company becoming a separate entity.
1960: Boeing Acquires Vertol Aircraft Corporation
Boeing acquired Vertol Aircraft Corporation, the largest independent helicopter manufacturer at the time, in 1960.
1995: Start of Period for Boeing Misconduct Settlements
Between 1995 and early 2021, Boeing agreed to pay a total of US$4.3 billion to settle 84 cases of misconduct.
1995: Sea Launch is Founded
In 1995, Boeing partnered with Russian, Ukrainian, and Anglo-Norwegian organizations to create Sea Launch, a company providing commercial satellite launch services.
December 1996: Boeing Announces Intent to Merge with McDonnell Douglas
In December 1996, Boeing announced its intention to merge with McDonnell Douglas.
August 1, 1997: Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Merge
On August 1, 1997, Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas after regulatory approval.
August 4, 1997: Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Merger Finalized
On August 4, 1997, the merger between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas was completed following regulatory approval and objections from the European Commission.
2000: Boeing Acquires Hughes Electronics Satellite Segment
In 2000, Boeing acquired the satellite segment of Hughes Electronics.
2006: Boeing Settles Misconduct Case for $615 Million
In 2006, Boeing paid US$615 million to settle a case involving illegal hiring of government officials and improper use of proprietary information. This was part of a series of misconduct settlements between 1995 and early 2021.
2006: UCLA Study Reveals Contamination at Boeing's Santa Susana Field Laboratory
In 2006, a study by the UCLA Center for Environmental Risk Reduction exposed contamination at Boeing's Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former Rocketdyne test site in California. The contamination was attributed to toxic and radioactive waste from Rocketdyne's operations.
2007: Boeing Tests Biofuels from Various Developers
As of 2007, Boeing was actively engaged in testing six biofuels from various developers worldwide, including Tecbio (Brazil) and Aquaflow Bionomic (New Zealand). Boeing aimed to test 20 different biofuels as part of its evaluation process.
June 2008: Boeing Joins Algal Biomass Organization
In June 2008, Boeing joined the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), alongside other aviation industry members, to explore the potential of algae-based biofuels.
December 30, 2008: Air New Zealand and Boeing Test Jatropha Biofuel
On December 30, 2008, Air New Zealand and Boeing successfully conducted a two-hour test flight using a 50/50 blend of jatropha biofuel and Jet A-1 in a Rolls-Royce RB-211 engine on a Boeing 747-400. Following the flight, the engine was examined to assess any differences between the jatropha blend and conventional Jet A1, revealing no performance discrepancies.
2008: Boeing Ranks Second Among Top US Federal Contractors
In 2008, Boeing secured the second position on the list of Top 100 US Federal Contractors, with contracts valued at US$22 billion.
2009: Boeing Remains Second Among Top US Federal Contractors
Boeing maintained its second-place ranking among Top 100 US Federal Contractors in 2009, securing contracts totaling US$23 billion.
August 31, 2010: Boeing and U.S. Air Force Test C-17 with Blend of Biofuels
On August 31, 2010, Boeing partnered with the U.S. Air Force to test a Boeing C-17 aircraft using a fuel blend consisting of 50% JP-8, 25% hydro-treated renewable jet fuel, and 25% Fischer-Tropsch fuel. The test yielded successful results, further advancing the exploration of biofuel alternatives in aviation.
2017: Boeing Agrees to Cleanup Agreement for Santa Susana Field Laboratory
In 2017, Boeing committed to a cleanup agreement with the EPA to address the contamination at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Cleanup studies and legal actions related to the site are ongoing.
2018: Boeing Opens First European Factory
Boeing opened its first European factory in Sheffield, UK in 2018, supported by a research partnership with the University of Sheffield.
2018: First Boeing 737 MAX Crash
In 2018, the first of two Boeing 737 MAX crashes occured.
2019: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Crash
In 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX, crashed, resulting in significant loss of life. This event was a major turning point in the Boeing 737 MAX controversy.
2019: Second Boeing 737 MAX Crash
In 2019, the second of two Boeing 737 MAX crashes occured.
January 25, 2020: Boeing 777X Maiden Flight
On January 25, 2020, the Boeing 777X, Boeing's largest twin-jet aircraft to date, completed its first flight. This marked a significant milestone for the company.
May 2020: Boeing Cuts Over 12,000 Jobs
In May 2020, Boeing cut over 12,000 jobs due to the decline in air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020: Federal Aviation Administration Finds 737 MAX Defects
In June 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discovered multiple defects in the Boeing 737 MAX that Boeing had postponed addressing, in violation of regulations.
July 2020: Boeing Reports $2.4 Billion Loss and Plans More Cuts
In July 2020, Boeing reported a $2.4 billion loss due to the pandemic and the 737 MAX groundings, prompting plans for further job and production cuts.
August 18, 2020: Boeing CEO Announces Further Job Cuts
On August 18, 2020, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced further job cuts in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the 737 MAX groundings.
September 2020: U.S. House of Representatives Concludes 737 MAX Investigation
In September 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives completed its investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX, revealing that Boeing had disregarded employee concerns about the MCAS flight stabilizing system. This system had caused two fatal accidents. The House cited instances where Boeing prioritized deadlines and budget over safety and lacked transparency with the FAA.
October 28, 2020: Boeing Lays Off Nearly 30,000 Employees
On October 28, 2020, Boeing laid off nearly 30,000 employees due to financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Report on Boeing-McDonnell Douglas Merger's Impact
In 2020, Quartz reported on the clash of corporate cultures following the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, suggesting it may have contributed to events leading up to the 737 MAX crash crisis.
2020: Boeing's Fortune 500 Ranking
In 2020, Boeing was ranked 54th on the Fortune 500 list and 121st on the Fortune Global 500 list.
January 7, 2021: Boeing Settles to Pay Over $2.5 Billion in 737 MAX Fraud Case
On January 7, 2021, Boeing agreed to pay over $2.5 billion to settle charges of fraud for concealing information from safety regulators regarding the 737 MAX. This included a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 million, $1.77 billion in damages to airline customers, and a $500 million fund for crash-victim beneficiaries.
2021: Boeing Records $62.3 Billion in Sales
In 2021, Boeing recorded $62.3 billion in sales.
2021: End of Period for Boeing Misconduct Settlements
The period between 1995 and early 2021 saw Boeing paying US$4.3 billion in settlements for 84 instances of misconduct, including a US$615 million settlement in 2006 related to illegal hiring practices and improper use of proprietary information.
2021: Boeing 777X Delivery Delayed
Following an incident during flight testing in 2021, the estimated first delivery of the Boeing 777X was postponed to 2024.
July 19, 2022: Boeing Partners with Mitsubishi for Sustainable Solutions
On July 19, 2022, Boeing revealed a renewed partnership with Mitsubishi aimed at developing carbon-neutral and sustainable solutions in the aviation industry.
September 2022: Boeing Fined $200 Million for Misleading Investors
In September 2022, Boeing was ordered to pay an additional $200 million for misleading investors about safety concerns related to the 737 MAX crashes.
2022: Boeing 777X Delivery Further Delayed
Further technical problems discovered in 2022 resulted in another delay for the 777X, pushing the release to 2025, six years behind the initial schedule.
2022: Boeing's Revenue Ranks Fourth Globally
In 2022, Boeing was the fourth-largest defense contractor globally based on its revenue.
2022: Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Released
In 2022, Netflix released Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, an exposé suggesting Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas led to the 737 MAX crashes due to a decline in workplace morale.
February 2023: Boeing Announces Layoffs in Finance and HR
In February 2023, Boeing announced plans to lay off approximately 2,000 workers from its finance and human resources departments.
March 2023: Boeing Disputes Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Victims' Suffering
In March 2023, Boeing disputed in court filings that the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed in 2019, experienced any pain and suffering during the final six minutes of the plane's nosedive, citing "speed of sound" as a defense. This claim sparked controversy and was labeled "preposterous" by the Huffington Post.
May 2023: Boeing Acquires Wisk Aero
In May 2023, Boeing acquired Wisk Aero, an autonomous eVTOL air taxi startup.
November 2023: Boeing Promotes Sustainability in Middle East, Turkey, and Africa
As of November 2023, Boeing is collaborating with key stakeholders to advance sustainability initiatives in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, with a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The partnerships are centered around innovation, ongoing improvements in operational efficiency, and the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). SAF offers an 85% reduction in lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions and presents a significant opportunity for the airline industry to transition towards renewable resources.
2023: Boeing Headquarters Moves to Arlington, Virginia
As of 2023, Boeing's corporate headquarters is in Arlington County, Virginia.
January 5, 2024: Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Door Plug Blowout
On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experienced a door plug blowout on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 at over 16,000 feet, resulting in a significant hole in the fuselage. The aircraft safely executed an emergency landing in Portland, with several passengers sustaining injuries, but all were subsequently cleared medically. The FAA mandated immediate inspections of all 737 MAX 9 aircraft equipped with door plugs, grounding 171 aircraft. During these inspections, United Airlines found loose bolts on the grounded jets, raising concerns about potential systemic issues with the 737 MAX 9. On January 12, the FAA expanded its investigation into Boeing, including a production audit of the 737 MAX 9.
January 2024: Shareholder Proposal to Relocate Headquarters Rejected
After incidents like Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January 2024, a shareholder proposed moving the headquarters back to Seattle but Boeing's board dismissed the idea.
March 2024: Justice Department Investigates Alaska Airlines Blowout and Boeing Leadership Changes
In March 2024, the Justice Department initiated a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines blowout incident involving the Boeing 737 MAX 9. Concurrently, CEO Dave Calhoun and board chairman Larry Kellner announced their resignations.
2024: Boeing 777X Delivery Delayed Again
The release of the 777X was delayed until 2024 after problems arose during flight testing in 2021.
2025: Boeing 777X Expected Delivery Date
After multiple delays, the Boeing 777X is expected to be delivered in 2025.
2050: Boeing's Net-Zero Emissions Target
Boeing aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.