Quick Hit:

Boeing has landed the largest aircraft deal in its history—a $96 billion order from Qatar Airways—during a high-profile diplomatic mission led by 47th President Donald Trump. The agreement includes up to 210 widebody aircraft and marks a dramatic comeback for the U.S. aerospace giant after a year marred by scandal and labor unrest. Trump, speaking from Doha alongside Qatar’s Emir, celebrated the order as a win for American jobs and manufacturing, further bolstering his reputation as a global dealmaker.

Key Details:

• Qatar Airways agreed to buy 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 777X aircraft, with an option for 50 more.

• President Trump hailed the $96 billion pact as the largest in Boeing's history and a victory for U.S. workers.

• Boeing shares jumped 3.1% following the announcement, reaching their highest point in 15 months.

Diving Deeper:

In a monumental moment for both diplomacy and U.S. industry, Boeing has inked a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways, solidifying the planemaker’s resurgence after a tumultuous year. The record-setting order, announced at the Qatari Royal Court with President Trump and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani present, includes the purchase of 160 long-range jets with an option for 50 more.

The accord is a cornerstone of President Trump’s Gulf tour, designed to underscore his administration’s strategy of leveraging foreign partnerships to generate trillions in economic agreements. It also reaffirms Boeing’s standing as America’s top exporter, with Trump highlighting the deal’s job-creating potential. “This is the largest aircraft order in Boeing’s history,” Trump said, stressing its benefit to the U.S. workforce and manufacturing base.

CEO Kelly Ortberg, who returned from retirement to lead Boeing through crisis, signed the agreement alongside Trump. Ortberg’s tenure began amid one of Boeing’s darkest chapters—marked by a catastrophic safety failure, a workforce strike, and a financial spiral. Since taking over, he has reversed the company’s trajectory, restoring confidence in Boeing’s production and delivery systems.

The deal’s scale not only dwarfs previous orders—including a 150-jet order by Emirates in 2014—but also repositions Boeing as a dominant force in the Persian Gulf aviation market, historically a stronghold for widebody jet sales. Although Qatar Airways operates both Boeing and Airbus aircraft, this commitment firmly tips the scale in Boeing’s favor for the foreseeable future.

Investors responded swiftly. Boeing’s stock surged by over 3%, climbing 50% since hitting a low in early April when tariff disputes with China rattled its supplier network. Bloomberg analysts see the deal as a major tailwind, with thawing trade tensions and rising production rates expected to further lift Boeing’s bond and equity performance.

Interestingly, this new wave of Boeing momentum follows an awkward backdrop: the delay of the new Air Force One jets. Trump has publicly criticized Boeing over the delays, but appeared willing to accept a temporary solution—an outfitted 747-8 owned by Qatar—as a stopgap for the U.S. Defense Department. While controversial, the move underscores Trump’s pragmatism in securing results.

Ortberg wasn’t alone in Doha. Stephanie Pope, now head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, joined the delegation, symbolizing the company’s reshaped leadership after last year’s executive overhaul. The team’s focus now turns to sustaining the upswing and possibly securing more orders at next month’s Paris Air Show, where a competing Airbus deal may also emerge.

Ultimately, Wednesday’s announcement was more than a business transaction—it was a high-stakes endorsement of American industrial strength, executed on the world stage by a president determined to reclaim the mantle of economic leadership. For Boeing, it marks a long-awaited comeback. For Trump, it’s another example of dealmaking diplomacy that puts American interests first.