The World’s Top 10 Aircraft Manufacturers in 2025

Introduction 

(Use the intro we refined earlier — about market cap as the main measure of size, with context on Airbus vs. Boeing and the rest of the field.) 

1. Airbus 

• Market cap: $146.29 billion 
• Country: Netherlands / European consortium 
• Founded: 1970 
• Employees: 150,093 
• Earnings in 2024: $6.75 billion 
• Products: Commercial, business, helicopters, defense, space 

Airbus is the biggest aircraft manufacturer in the world in 2025. Commercial jets remain its foundation, accounting for three-quarters of revenue. In 2024 alone, Airbus delivered 766 aircraft, with over 600 from its best-selling A320 family. With a market cap growth of nearly 15% year-on-year, Airbus has cemented its leadership as the world’s 110th most valuable company overall. 

2. Boeing 

• Market cap: $130.39 billion 
• Country: United States 
• Founded: 1916 
• Employees: 171,000 
• Earnings in 2024: -$12.21 billion 
• Products: Commercial, business, helicopters, defense, space 

Boeing remains Airbus’s closest competitor, but financial struggles continue. From a peak valuation of $248 billion in 2019, the company was hit hard by the 737 MAX crisis and the pandemic. It has since recovered to above $130 billion but posted a heavy $12.21 billion loss in 2024. Its only profitable arm is Global Services, which earned $3.6 billion last year. 

3. Lockheed Martin 

• Market cap: $104.78 billion 
• Country: United States 
• Founded: 1995 
• Employees: 122,000 
• Earnings in 2024: $6.22 billion 
• Products: Defense, helicopters, space 

Lockheed Martin dominates defense aviation. Its flagship fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, saw 110 deliveries in 2024, alongside 16 F-16s. Despite a strong defense portfolio, Lockheed’s market cap fell 12% after disappointing financial results tied to classified projects.

4. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) 

• Market cap: $33.03 billion 
• Country: India 
• Founded: 1940 
• Employees: 24,375 
• Earnings in 2024: $1.36 billion 
• Products: Commercial, defense, helicopters 

India’s largest aerospace firm is quickly rising in global rankings. Known for its Tejas fighter jet, HAL also makes helicopters, drones, and engines. Awarded Maharatna status in 2024, HAL now has greater operational autonomy and plans to expand its presence across Asia with logistics hubs. 

5. Dassault Aviation 

• Market cap: $27.1 billion 
• Country: France 
• Founded: 1929 
• Employees: 13,533 
• Earnings in 2024: $0.91 billion 
• Products: Business jets, defense aircraft 

Dassault serves two worlds: elite business aviation with its Falcon jet family, and defense with the Rafale and Mirage series. In 2024, the company achieved record growth, with revenues up 5% and its market cap reaching the highest in its history. 

6. Textron Aviation 

• Market cap: $13.25 billion 
• Country: United States 
• Founded: 2014 
• Employees: 35,000 
• Earnings in 2024: $1.04 billion 
• Products: General aviation, business jets, trainers 

Textron, owner of Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker, leads in general aviation. From the Skyhawk to the Citation jets, its aircraft dominate flight schools, charters, and private ownership. A 2024 machinists’ strike impacted production, lowering profits and market cap by 23%. 

7. Embraer 

• Market cap: $8.74 billion 
• Country: Brazil 
• Founded: 1969 
• Employees: 19,179 
• Earnings in 2024: $0.55 billion 
• Products: Regional jets, business jets, defense 

Embraer is the backbone of regional air travel, with its E-Jet family serving airlines worldwide. It also manufactures business jets (Praetor, Phenom) and defense platforms like the C-390 Millennium. Revenues rose 21% in 2024, reflecting strong commercial demand. 

8. Bombardier 

• Market cap: $5.5 billion 
• Country: Canada 
• Founded: 1942 
• Employees: 17,100 
• Earnings in 2024: $0.73 billion 
• Products: Business jets 

Bombardier now focuses solely on luxury business aviation after selling its commercial aircraft programs. Its Challenger and Global series dominate the executive jet space. In 2024, it delivered 146 aircraft and reported a $14.4 billion backlog. 

9. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) 

• Market cap: $5.28 billion 
• Country: South Korea 
• Founded: 1999 
• Employees: 5,222 
• Earnings in 2024: $0.14 billion 
• Products: Defense aircraft, helicopters, space 

KAI has established itself with the KF-21 Boramae fighter, T-50 Golden Eagle trainer, and military helicopters. Expanding into satellites and space, it also partners with Airbus and Boeing on commercial parts manufacturing. 

10. Joby Aviation 

• Market cap: $4.81 billion 
• Country: United States 
• Founded: 2009 
• Employees: 1,777 
• Earnings in 2024: -$0.6 billion 
• Products: eVTOL aircraft 

Joby is pioneering electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, aiming for FAA certification by 2026. Its prototype promises a 100-mile range and speeds up to 200 mph, positioning Joby as a leader in the future of urban air mobility. 

Closing Thoughts 

The top two, Airbus and Boeing, remain untouchable in scale — yet the diversity of the rest of the list shows how broad the aerospace industry has become. From India’s HAL to South Korea’s KAI, emerging players are reshaping the global balance, while innovators like Joby Aviation are charting entirely new frontiers in flight.