All of BCA’s major programs — 737, 777 and 787 — are undergoing significant delivery ramp-ups. While production of its 747-8 line will hold steady, Boeing also faces the challenge of introducing the militarized tanker version of its 767 mid-sized jet into the same production line that builds planes for commercial customers.

With the moves, the search is on for a new head of sales at a time when Boeing faces unusually strong competition from Airbus in the narrowbody market. Heading into the Farnborough air show next month, Boeing’s MAX is about 1,000 confirmed orders behind the A320NEO, although Albaugh predicted most of that gap will close by yearend.