In a positive turn of events, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has expressed optimism about Boeing's recovery after meeting with the aircraft manufacturer's newly appointed chief executive, Robert Ortberg. This marks a notable shift in tone from United, which has been vocal about its frustrations regarding Boeing's manufacturing flaws that have caused significant delays in aircraft deliveries.

Kirby and Ortberg recently sat down for lunch in the Dallas area, where they discussed Boeing's efforts to regain trust and rectify the issues that have plagued the company. Kirby took to LinkedIn to share his thoughts, stating that he was not only encouraged by what he heard during the meeting but also left with a renewed confidence in Boeing's ability to recover faster than expected.

United Airlines currently holds 484 unfilled orders with Boeing, making them one of the major customers eagerly awaiting resolution to the ongoing challenges. Ortberg's efforts to rebuild relationships also extended to American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, whom he met with earlier in the week, according to a reliable source.

Ortberg, who brings with him over three decades of experience in the aerospace industry, took charge of Boeing just a week ago. On his first day, he made it a priority to visit the 737 factory floor in Renton, Washington, signaling a hands-on approach to addressing the company's concerns. Interestingly, Ortberg will be based in Seattle, diverging from the previous leadership's location.

Kirby praised Ortberg's engineering background at Rockwell Collins and his commitment to staying closely connected with frontline teams in Seattle. He expressed confidence that these qualities, combined with Ortberg's determination to listen to both employees and customers, would ultimately contribute to a successful turnaround for Boeing.

Major customers like United and Southwest Airlines have faced challenges due to delayed jetliners caused by a series of manufacturing defects in Boeing aircraft. These issues were exacerbated by a safety crisis sparked by a door plug blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 earlier this year. Despite the absence of serious injuries, the incident highlighted the need for immediate resolutions to the manufacturing flaws.

On his first day as CEO, Ortberg emphasized the widespread desire for Boeing's success among their customers and industry partners, acknowledging the company's indispensable role in the aviation industry. With concerted efforts underway to address these concerns, both United Airlines and other stakeholders will be eagerly monitoring Boeing's progress in resolving these challenges.

The positive feedback from United's CEO following his meeting with Ortberg signals a potential turning point for Boeing. As the company works towards regaining trust and rectifying manufacturing flaws, stakeholders across the industry hope for a swift and successful recovery.