Commercial Aviation
Seattle Jury Clears Boeing in LOT Polish Airlines 737 MAX Fraud Case
A Seattle jury found Boeing not liable for fraud in LOT Polish Airlines’ 737 MAX lawsuit over the global grounding and financial losses.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters. This article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.
On Friday, May 22, 2026, a federal jury in Seattle, Washington, cleared aerospace manufacturer Boeing of fraud allegations brought by LOT Polish Airlines. According to reporting by Reuters, the civil lawsuit centered on the unprecedented 20-month global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet and the subsequent financial fallout experienced by the carrier.
LOT Polish Airlines had sought substantial damages, estimated by financial news outlets and court reports to be between $153 million and $250 million, claiming severe lost revenue and operational disruptions. The Warsaw-based carrier alleged that Boeing intentionally withheld critical information about the aircraft’s flight-control software to rush the jet to market.
This verdict represents the first time a commercial airline’s 737 MAX-related challenge against Boeing proceeded to a full jury trial in the United States. We at AirPro News recognize this as a pivotal moment in Boeing’s ongoing efforts to resolve the extensive legal and financial liabilities stemming from the MAX crisis.
The Trial and Verdict
The trial, held at the U.S. District Court in Seattle, spanned two weeks. Based on the provided research reports, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before delivering their decision on Friday.
Jurors ultimately sided with Boeing, dismissing LOT’s claims that the manufacturer purposefully and negligently concealed details regarding the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). Consequently, the jury found Boeing not guilty of fraud and not liable for the financial damages claimed by the airline.
Official Statements
Following the verdict, both parties issued brief statements addressing the legal outcome. A spokesperson for the aerospace company expressed approval of the jury’s decision.
“We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor today,” a Boeing spokesperson stated following the trial.
Conversely, LOT Polish Airlines indicated that the legal battle might not be entirely over, hinting at the possibility of an appeal in their public remarks.
“As the legal process may not yet be concluded, LOT will not comment further on the details of the proceeding at this stage,” the airline noted.
Background of the 737 MAX Crisis
To understand the gravity of the LOT lawsuit, it is essential to revisit the origins of the 737 MAX grounding. In 2018 and 2019, two fatal crashes, Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, claimed the lives of 346 passengers and crew members.
Subsequent investigations into the disasters highlighted severe flaws in the MCAS, an automated flight-stabilizing program. Boeing later acknowledged the system’s role in the tragedies. LOT’s lawsuit alleged that Boeing hid these software details to expedite the aircraft’s market entry and maintain a competitive edge against the Airbus A320neo.
The Global Grounding
The dual tragedies prompted international aviation regulators to enact a global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. According to historical data cited in the research report, the aircraft were grounded from March 2019 until November 2020. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only permitted the jets to resume commercial service after Boeing implemented mandatory and critical upgrades to the MCAS software.
Broader Legal Context for Boeing
While the Seattle jury’s decision is a definitive victory for Boeing against a corporate customer, the manufacturer’s legal challenges are far from over. The company continues to navigate a complex web of litigation and regulatory scrutiny.
Ongoing Victim Lawsuits and DOJ Scrutiny
Boeing still faces active legal actions from the families of the crash victims. While many claims have been settled out of court, recent jury trials have resulted in significant financial penalties. The research report notes that a U.S. jury recently awarded $49.5 million to the family of a 24-year-old American victim of the Ethiopian Airlines crash, following a November 2025 verdict that awarded $28.45 million to a victim’s widower.
Furthermore, Boeing remains under the watchful eye of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In May 2025, the DOJ and Boeing entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) after the company breached a prior 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. This NPA continues to face legal challenges and appeals from the families of the victims.
AirPro News analysis
The LOT Polish Airlines verdict serves as a critical firewall for Boeing. Had the jury ruled in favor of the airline, it could have established a dangerous legal precedent, potentially opening the floodgates for other global carriers to pursue similar fraud claims over grounding-related revenue losses. By successfully defending against these fraud allegations, Boeing has significantly mitigated its exposure to corporate civil liability regarding the MCAS development. However, the ongoing DOJ scrutiny and the high-dollar verdicts in individual victim lawsuits indicate that the financial and reputational bleeding from the 737 MAX crisis is not yet fully contained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the LOT Polish Airlines v. Boeing lawsuit about?
LOT Polish Airlines sued Boeing for fraud, alleging the manufacturer intentionally hid critical information about the 737 MAX’s MCAS software. The airline sought between $153 million and $250 million for lost revenue caused by the 20-month global grounding of the aircraft.
What was the jury’s verdict?
On May 22, 2026, after a two-week trial and three hours of deliberation, a federal jury in Seattle cleared Boeing of fraud and found the company not liable for LOT’s claimed financial damages.
Are there other lawsuits against Boeing regarding the 737 MAX?
Yes. While Boeing won this specific case against a commercial airline, it continues to face lawsuits from the families of the crash victims, some of which have recently resulted in multi-million dollar jury awards, alongside ongoing scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: Paul Gordon
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Riyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
Riyadh Air firms up A350-1000 and 787 Dreamliner orders at Farnborough 2026, targeting 100 global destinations by 2030.
Saudi Arabian startup carrier Riyadh Air (RX) has expanded its future widebody fleet by firming up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026. The agreement exercises purchase rights from a 2025 commitment for up to 50 airframes, bringing the airline’s total firm backlog for the European manufacturer’s largest twin-engine jet to 31 aircraft.
In a press release issued during the airshow, Airbus confirmed the transaction and noted that Riyadh Air will become the first operator of the A350-1000 in Saudi Arabia. The acquisition aligns with the carrier’s mandate to support the national Vision 2030 strategy, which targets serving more than 100 global destinations by the end of the decade.
Expanding the Airbus widebody footprint
The Airbus A350-1000 offers a maximum non-stop range of 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 kilometers), providing the operational capability required for Riyadh Air’s planned ultra-long-haul services. Airbus states the aircraft delivers a 25 percent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs, and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation widebody aircraft.
Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida stated that the finalized order reflects continued confidence in the airline’s growth trajectory and the broader Saudi aviation sector.
“Increasing our A350-1000 commitment to 31 aircraft strengthens the foundation of our future network and supports our ambition to serve more than 100 global destinations by 2030 while delivering a premium guest experience,” Boukadida said.
Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial-Aircraft Benoît de Saint-Exupéry added that the commitment highlights the aircraft’s efficiency and range. He noted the A350-1000 will play a central role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading international aviation hub. As of the end of June 2026, Airbus had recorded 1,595 firm Orders for the A350 family from 68 customers worldwide.
Concurrent Boeing 787 Dreamliner expansion
The Airbus finalization occurred alongside a separate widebody order placed with The Boeing Company. According to reporting by Al Arabiya, Riyadh Air also confirmed an order for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft at the Farnborough event on July 20.
This separate agreement introduces the Boeing 787-10 variant to the carrier’s fleet. Following the announcement, Riyadh Air’s total firm commitment for the Dreamliner family stands at 67 aircraft.
Riyadh Air Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas told Al Arabiya that the introduction of the 787-10 and the expanded Dreamliner backlog marks another significant milestone in the airline’s journey toward its 2030 network goals. The carrier recently opened ticket sales for its initial overseas routes as it prepares for the launch of commercial operations.
AirPro News analysis
We view Riyadh Air’s dual widebody orders at Farnborough as a clear signal of the carrier’s aggressive timeline and robust capital backing. By splitting its high-capacity, long-haul requirements between the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-10, the airline mitigates delivery risk in an era of constrained aerospace supply chains. Securing 31 firm A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s provides the necessary metal to rapidly scale a global network from scratch. However, the operational complexity of inducting two distinct widebody types simultaneously will require substantial training, tooling, and maintenance infrastructure investments prior to the Launch of commercial flights.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Commercial Aviation
IndiGo Signs Record 1000 LEAP-1A Engine MoU with CFM
IndiGo and CFM International signed an MoU at Farnborough 2026 for 1,000+ LEAP-1A engines to power 510 A320neo Family jets.
Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo and CFM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 20, 2026, for more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 510 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. The agreement, finalized at the Farnborough International Airshow, represents the largest single order for LEAP engines in the manufacturer’s history.
The procurement completes the engine selection for IndiGo’s outstanding narrowbody order book and includes a long-term material services agreement. According to a press release issued by GE Aerospace, the deal also provides support for establishing a new engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for the airline. CFM International operates as a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Record-setting engine procurement
The MoU covers the power requirements for a specific segment of IndiGo’s future fleet. Reporting by Aviation Week indicates the order breaks down to engines for 135 undecided Airbus A320neos and 375 undecided Airbus A321neos. The airline currently operates more than 430 aircraft, with over 375 A320 and A321 Family jets already supported by CFM.
Incoming IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh, who officially assumes the role by August 2026, stated the LEAP engine’s reliability makes it the ideal choice to support the carrier’s scale and operational resilience.
“As IndiGo embarks on its next phase of growth towards becoming a truly global airline, we are delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with CFM International for the engines powering future deliveries of our Airbus A320/321neo Family aircraft fleet,” Walsh said in the company statement.
GE Aerospace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. noted the engines are delivering up to twice the time on wing in hot and harsh operating environments compared to their initial entry into service.
Transitioning the narrowbody fleet
The massive LEAP-1A commitment finalizes IndiGo’s pivot away from the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engine. Aviation Week reported the airline previously faced the grounding of up to 75 aircraft due to GTF durability problems and powder metal defect issues.
IndiGo began its relationship with CFM in 2016 with a sub-fleet of Airbus A320ceo Family aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. The carrier deepened that partnership in 2019 by selecting the LEAP-1A for its initial batch of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The July 20 agreement ensures the remainder of the airline’s narrowbody deliveries will utilize CFM propulsion.
AirPro News analysis
We view this 1,000-engine MoU as a definitive operational reset for IndiGo as it prepares for leadership under Willie Walsh. The carrier’s previous exposure to Pratt & Whitney GTF supply chain and durability constraints severely impacted capacity. By standardizing the remaining 510 A320neo Family deliveries on the LEAP-1A, IndiGo is prioritizing fleet availability and predictable maintenance intervals over a split-engine strategy. The inclusion of localized MRO support in the agreement also signals a maturation of India’s domestic aviation infrastructure, reducing the airline’s reliance on constrained global overhaul facilities.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
SMBC Aviation Capital Orders 200 Aircraft at Farnborough 2026
SMBC Aviation Capital placed firm orders for 100 A320neo family and 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets at Farnborough Airshow 2026.
Aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital secured a massive dual-manufacturer commitment at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, placing firm orders for 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft and 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
The 200-aircraft acquisition guarantees the lessor a steady stream of narrowbody deliveries into the mid-2030s. This strategic move comes as the broader aviation industry continues to grapple with persistent supply-chain bottlenecks that have constrained production rates at both major airframers.
Airbus narrowbody commitments
In a press release issued during the airshow, Airbus confirmed the firm order consists of 65 Airbus A321neo and 35 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The agreement pushes the total number of direct Airbus commitments from SMBC Aviation Capital and its parent company, Sumitomo Corporation, past 900 aircraft.
Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft Benoît de Saint-Exupéry highlighted the long-standing relationship between the manufacturer and the lessor.
“We are honoured to stand with SMBC Aviation Capital as they place this order for additional A320neo family aircraft, the world’s most leased and most traded aircraft making it the benchmark for airlines, lessors and investors alike,” de Saint-Exupéry stated.
Boeing 737 MAX and CFM engine agreements
Concurrently, SMBC Aviation Capital announced a matching commitment with Boeing for 100 narrowbody aircraft. The lessor’s official statement detailed a split of 60 Boeing 737 MAX 10 and 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets.
To power the newly ordered Airbus fleet, SMBC Aviation Capital also secured an agreement for up to 90 CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
SMBC Aviation Capital Chief Executive Officer Peter Barrett emphasized the necessity of securing long-term availability for the company’s airline clients.
“This significant new order will give our airline customers access to a continuous delivery pipeline of the latest technology A320neo family aircraft into the mid-2030s,” Barrett said.
He added that the order reflects the lessor’s confidence in the sustained demand for the A320neo family. Deliveries for the newly ordered Airbus aircraft are expected to commence in the first half of the 2030s.
AirPro News analysis
We view SMBC Aviation Capital’s balanced 200-aircraft acquisition as a direct response to the current manufacturing environment. By splitting the order evenly between the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, the lessor is effectively hedging its delivery risks. Industry reporting from the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow indicates that total dealmaking may fall short of the ambitious 800-aircraft expectations held by some analysts, largely due to ongoing production bottlenecks at both Airbus and Boeing.
In an environment where near-term delivery slots are virtually nonexistent, securing a pipeline that stretches into the mid-2030s is critical for major lessors. Airline customers are increasingly reliant on lessors to provide capacity growth and fleet renewal options when direct manufacturer orders face multi-year backlogs. The inclusion of 60 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and 65 Airbus A321neos also underscores a continued market shift toward the largest variants of both narrowbody families, maximizing seat capacity in slot-constrained airports.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries15 hours agoAerCap Orders 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at Farnborough 2026
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries10 hours agoRiyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
-
Commercial Aviation10 hours agoIndiGo Signs Record 1000 LEAP-1A Engine MoU with CFM
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries13 hours agoPhilippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries17 hours agoSMBC Aviation Capital Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX at Farnborough