In the early 1987, an extraordinary event unfolded on a French airfield, where Prince Charles ceremoniously christened the Airbus SE A320 jetliner with a Champagne bottle, marking the beginning of a bold challenge to Boeing Co. The A320, Airbus’ first single-aisle model, faced an uphill battle against Boeing’s dominance in the aircraft market. However, despite the initial setbacks, Airbus managed to carve a significant presence in the narrowbody category, ultimately surpassing the 737 to become the best-selling aircraft of all time.

The success of the A320 underscored the critical impact of product decisions in the competitive aircraft development landscape, shaping the current Airbus-Boeing duopoly. As Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury navigates the company’s future, the opportunity to solidify its position looms large, particularly in the wake of Boeing’s challenges with the 737 Max. With superior financial resources at his disposal, Faury is poised to lead Airbus in investing in a new model, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the industry.