Boeing Jet Sales Surge as Pandemic Retreats in US, Europe

Boeing Co. expanded its sales lead over Airbus SE last month as airlines snapped up 737 Max jets to gird for surging air travel amid the retreat of the coronavirus pandemic in North America and Europe.

Gross orders totaled 73 planes in May, including 61 for the single-aisle Max, Boeing said Tuesday on its website. Southwest Airlines Co. bolstered the tally by agreeing to take an additional 34 Max 7 planes, the smallest model, next year. The carrier will also step up deliveries through mid-decade and add another 32 options for handovers in 2026 and 2027.

Boeing is …