In 2025, the utilization of widebody passenger aircraft shows notable market shifts influenced by fleet retirements and new deliveries. Boeing has secured over 500 new widebody orders this year, while Airbus has added more than 250. The sustained demand is coupled with a detailed analysis of flight patterns for key models such as the Airbus A330/A350 and Boeing 777/787, over the past six years.
Data from November 2025 demonstrates that flight counts for these aircraft types closely mirror those of 2019, with differences of less than 2%. In 2019, the Airbus A330 led in flight share with over 38% of monthly flights, followed by Boeing’s 777 at nearly 32%, the 787 at 22%, and the A350 at just 8%. This distribution reflected the fleet composition at the time, as the A350 was still relatively new and the 787 was reaching full production capacity.
By 2025, these proportions have shifted significantly. Fleet retirements prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the numbers of older A330s and 777s, replaced organically by newer aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Consequently, the Boeing 787 now retains the largest share at almost 30%, overtaking the A330, which has decreased to below 29%. The A350’s market share has doubled to over 16%, driven by additional deliveries.
These trends highlight the evolving landscape of the widebody market, emphasizing the increased focus on fuel efficiency, fleet renewal, and global market demands. The analysis was derived from data compiled by Aviation Week’s Tracked Aircraft Utilization database, illustrating the ongoing transformation in airline fleets worldwide.
