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The Boeing Company

Aerospace & Defense ManufacturingFounded 1916
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Acquisitions

Boeing Acquisitions

7

Major Deals Covered

$28.1B

Disclosed Deal Value

What are Boeing's biggest acquisitions?

Boeing's largest disclosed acquisition here is McDonnell Douglas for $13.3B in 1997. This page covers 7 major deals from 1996 to 2025, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
7
Largest deal
McDonnell Douglas ($13.3B)
First deal
1996
Most recent
2025
CompanyYearPricePurpose
Spirit AeroSystems2025$4.7BBring back in-house the Wichita fuselage and aerostructures business Boeing had sold in 2005, after quality escapes at Spirit, including on the Alaska Airlines door-plug jet, disrupted 737 and 787 production. Announced in July 2024 and closed on December 8, 2025 in an all-stock deal worth about $8.3 billion including debt.
Aurora Flight Sciences2017UndisclosedAcquire autonomy and advanced-aircraft prototyping skills from the Manassas, Virginia company.
Aviall2006$1.7BBuy the largest independent distributor of aircraft parts to capture more aftermarket revenue from Boeing's installed fleet.
Jeppesen Sanderson2000$1.5BAcquire the leading supplier of flight navigation charts and data from Tribune Company.
Hughes Electronics (space and communications business)2000$3.8BBuy Hughes' satellite manufacturing business to become a leading satellite maker.
McDonnell Douglas1997$13.3BMerge with Boeing's main U.S. rival in commercial jets and defense, adding the F/A-18, F-15, C-17 and AH-64 Apache programs.
Rockwell International (aerospace and defense units)1996$3.2BAdd Rockwell's space and defense businesses, including Space Shuttle orbiter work, rocket engines, GPS satellites and the B-1B bomber.
What companies has Boeing bought?
Major acquisitions by Boeing documented here include McDonnell Douglas (1997), Spirit AeroSystems (2025), Hughes Electronics (space and communications business) (2000), Rockwell International (aerospace and defense units) (1996) and Aviall (2006).
What is Boeing's most recent acquisition?
The most recent Boeing acquisition documented here is Spirit AeroSystems, in 2025, for $4.7B.

Spirit AeroSystems

2025

$4.7B

Why

Bring back in-house the Wichita fuselage and aerostructures business Boeing had sold in 2005, after quality escapes at Spirit, including on the Alaska Airlines door-plug jet, disrupted 737 and 787 production. Announced in July 2024 and closed on December 8, 2025 in an all-stock deal worth about $8.3 billion including debt.

Impact

Gives Boeing direct control of 737 fuselages and its largest source of spare parts. Airbus took over Spirit's Airbus-related work as part of the break-up.

Outcome

Integration is under way; Boeing's 2026 risk disclosures list realizing the expected quality improvements and synergies from Spirit as a key uncertainty.

Source →

Aurora Flight Sciences

2017

Why

Acquire autonomy and advanced-aircraft prototyping skills from the Manassas, Virginia company.

Impact

Aurora works on autonomous systems and experimental aircraft for Boeing's commercial and defense units.

Outcome

Still a Boeing subsidiary; deal value was not disclosed.

Source →

Aviall

2006

$1.7B

Why

Buy the largest independent distributor of aircraft parts to capture more aftermarket revenue from Boeing's installed fleet.

Impact

Became a building block of Boeing Global Services, which grew to $20.9 billion of revenue in 2025.

Outcome

Global Services is Boeing's most consistently profitable segment, with an 18.1% operating margin in the first half of 2026.

Source →

Jeppesen Sanderson

2000

$1.5B

Why

Acquire the leading supplier of flight navigation charts and data from Tribune Company.

Impact

Jeppesen became the core of Boeing's digital aviation business alongside ForeFlight, which Boeing bought in 2019.

Outcome

Boeing sold Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData and OzRunways to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion in cash in 2025, booking a $9.6 billion gain that made 2025 profitable.

Source →

Hughes Electronics (space and communications business)

2000

$3.8B

Why

Buy Hughes' satellite manufacturing business to become a leading satellite maker.

Impact

Formed Boeing Satellite Systems, today part of Defense, Space & Security in El Segundo, California.

Outcome

The unit still builds commercial and government satellites; in September 2026 it delivered the last three O3b mPOWER satellites to SES.

Source →

McDonnell Douglas

1997

$13.3B

Why

Merge with Boeing's main U.S. rival in commercial jets and defense, adding the F/A-18, F-15, C-17 and AH-64 Apache programs.

Impact

Made Boeing the only U.S. maker of large commercial jets and one of the largest defense contractors.

Outcome

Created the modern Boeing, but many former employees and analysts argue it shifted the culture from engineering toward finance, a factor they link to the 737 MAX crisis.

Source →

Rockwell International (aerospace and defense units)

1996

$3.2B

Why

Add Rockwell's space and defense businesses, including Space Shuttle orbiter work, rocket engines, GPS satellites and the B-1B bomber.

Impact

Turned Boeing into a major space contractor ahead of the McDonnell Douglas merger.

Outcome

These units became part of today's Defense, Space & Security segment, which builds the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System.

Source →

The Boeing Company's Growth & Acquisition Strategy

Under Kelly Ortberg the plan is to stabilize first and grow second. Boeing runs a Safety & Quality Plan with key performance indicators for each factory and raises 737 and 787 rates only when those metrics and the FAA allow it. It brought fuselage production back in-house by closing the Spirit AeroSystems acquisition in December 2025, sold non-core digital businesses for $10.55 billion to cut debt, and is investing in North Charleston for higher 787 output and in St. Louis for fighter production. For its next new airplane, Boeing says it is designing the production system alongside the aircraft.

How The Boeing Company Makes Money

Boeing earns money in three segments. Commercial Airplanes (BCA) designs, builds and sells the 737, 767, 777 and 787. Airlines and lessors pay deposits and progress payments over several years, but most of the price arrives at delivery, so revenue moves with delivery volume. BCA had $41.5 billion of FY2025 revenue and still lost $7.1 billion from operations, largely because of $5.3 billion of 777X and 767 reach-forward losses. Defense, Space & Security (BDS) sells fighters, tankers, helicopters, satellites and space systems to the U.S. government and allies under a mix of cost-plus and fixed-price contracts, bringing in $27.2 billion. Global Services (BGS) sells parts, maintenance, modifications and training to more than 13,000 Boeing commercial jets in service plus military fleets. It is the steady earner: $20.9 billion of 2025 revenue and an 18.1% operating margin in the first half of 2026.

Boeing Acquisitions FAQ

What was the landmark 1997 merger between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas?

In August 1997, Boeing completed a transformational $13.3 billion merger with defense leader McDonnell Douglas, absorbing military aircraft programs (F/A-18, F-15, C-17 Globemaster, Apache) and rocket launch systems (Delta IV) into Boeing Defense.

What did Boeing buy from Rockwell International?

In December 1996 Boeing bought Rockwell International's aerospace and defense units for about $3.2 billion, adding Space Shuttle orbiter engineering and production work, the Rocketdyne engine business, GPS satellites and B-1B bomber support.

When did Boeing complete its Spirit AeroSystems acquisition?

Boeing closed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems on December 8, 2025. Announced in July 2024 at $37.25 per share in Boeing stock, the deal was valued at about $4.7 billion, or $8.3 billion including debt, and brought 737 fuselage production back in-house.

Does Boeing still own Jeppesen?

No. Boeing bought Jeppesen from Tribune Company for $1.5 billion in 2000, but sold Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData and OzRunways to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion in cash in 2025. The business now operates as Jeppesen ForeFlight.

When did Boeing acquire Hughes Electronics' space and satellite business?

In October 2000, Boeing acquired the space and communications division of Hughes Electronics for $3.75 billion, creating Boeing Satellite Systems and becoming a world leader in geostationary commercial and military communications satellites.

When did Boeing acquire autonomous air mobility startup Aurora Flight Sciences and Wisk Aero?

Boeing acquired autonomous flight and composite pioneer Aurora Flight Sciences in 2017 and took 100% full ownership of autonomous eVTOL air taxi company Wisk Aero in 2023, accelerating development of self-flying electric aircraft.

Why did Boeing's planned $4.2 billion commercial joint venture with Embraer collapse in 2020?

In April 2020, Boeing terminated its master transaction agreement to acquire an 80% stake in Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer's commercial aviation division, citing unmet closing conditions amid the COVID-19 aerospace crisis.

When did Boeing acquire aircraft parts distributor Aviall?

In September 2006, Boeing acquired aviation parts and aftermarket logistics leader Aviall for $1.7 billion, integrating Aviall's global distribution hubs into Boeing Global Services to provide same-day spare parts delivery to airlines worldwide.

Did Boeing buy McDonnell Douglas?

Yes, in 1997 Boeing executed a massive merger with McDonnell Douglas. Many analysts argue this merger fundamentally destroyed Boeing's legendary engineering culture, replacing it with a ruthless focus on cheap stock buybacks.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.