Boeing’s aim is to have more net orders for any given year compared to actual deliveries. The 787 book-to-bill for 2018 is .75 which is quite low but it has been lower in the past. However, Boeing is initiating a rate increase early this year to 14/month or 168 aircraft each year. If current trends hold then Boeing would have completed the current 787 backlog of 622 787 (84 x 787-8, 384 x 787-9, and 154 x 787-10) in about 3 years, 9 months. Of course they will get more 787s but the question is can they get enough each year to support 168. Clearly, Boeing has confidence that they will however, Boeing has yet to close on some announced LoIs which were placed over the last few years but not firmed up (Emirates, Bamboo Airways, and Garuda Indonesia). Given that they didn’t get a single new order or firmed existing LoI/MoUs at a time where they traditionally make a mad dash to firm up orders to crow about at year end is concerning.
