Robert "Kelly" Ortberg

Stories

Boeing folds its air-taxi and drone units into Archer Aviation for equity

As of August 2026: Running Boeing's turnaround and asset-sale strategy

Five years ago, Boeing's air-taxi unit accused Archer Aviation of stealing its trade secrets. On Monday, Boeing handed that unit, plus its military-drone maker and an airspace-software firm, to Archer. In return, Boeing gets a stake of nearly 20% in the company it once sued.

Updated Aug 10

Boeing charts path back to positive cash flow after seven-year slump

Money Moves

As of May 2026: Leading operational turnaround; targets positive full-year free cash flow in 2026

Boeing has burned cash every year since 2018. On Wednesday it reported a first-quarter adjusted loss of 20 cents per share — four times smaller than Wall Street's expected 83-cent loss — with $22.22 billion in revenue. CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors the company sees a path to roughly $3 billion in free cash flow for the full year.

Updated May 31

Boeing's 737 MAX production rebuild

Built World

As of May 2026: Leading the production recovery; now ramping to 47 jets a month

Boeing's 737 factory in Renton, Washington has spent 28 months under a federal speed limit. On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it could go a little faster — from 42 jets a month to 47.

Updated May 27

Boeing reacquires Spirit AeroSystems to confront a decade of 737 MAX safety and quality crises

Money Moves

As of May 2026: Leads Boeing’s post‑MAX turnaround and Spirit integration

On December 8, 2025, Boeing completed its $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, valuing the deal at about $8.3 billion including debt. The transaction reversed a 2005 spin‑off that created the world's largest independent aerostructures supplier.

Updated May 10

Notable Quotes

"This transaction is an important component of our strategy to focus on core businesses, supplement the balance sheet, and prioritize the investment grade credit rating." — Kelly Ortberg, on the 2025 Jeppesen sale

from Boeing folds its air-taxi and drone units into Archer Aviation for equity · Updated Aug 10

Ortberg told investors the company sees a path to roughly $3 billion in free cash flow in 2026, describing the production system as "stabilizing."

from Boeing charts path back to positive cash flow after seven-year slump · Updated May 31

"We've passed the capstone review for rate 47, so we are now in the process of running the line at the 47-a-month rate." — Ortberg, Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, May 27, 2026.

from Boeing's 737 MAX production rebuild · Updated May 27

"We'd like to get someday to a 63-a-month rate. The market will support those higher rates." — Ortberg, same event.

from Boeing's 737 MAX production rebuild · Updated May 27

This is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history and future success as we begin to integrate Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket operations and establish Spirit Defense.

from Boeing reacquires Spirit AeroSystems to confront a decade of 737 MAX safety and quality crises · Updated May 10