GE Aerospace raises 2026 guidance on record engine orders

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) raised its full-year 2026 financial guidance across the board following third-quarter results that showed total orders of $19.0 billion, a 49% year-over-year increase. The company announced the figures on October 20, 2026, citing solid demand and strength in commercial services, which grew 23% for the quarter.

Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., stated that year-to-date commercial services revenue and total engine deliveries were both up over 20%, driven by record internal shop visit output. The company expects 2027 commercial services to grow at low-double-digit rates, supported by a commercial services backlog exceeding $170 billion. Culp attributed the momentum to collaboration with supplier partners and the application of FLIGHT DECK fundamentals, while noting continued investment in customer needs through research and development spending of over $3 billion annually.

Key operational drivers included a double-digit year-over-year increase in material input from priority suppliers, which contributed to strong performance in the Commercial Engines & Services segment. LEAP engine deliveries grew 26% year-to-date. At the Farnborough International Airshow, GE Aerospace secured commitments for more than 1,800 engines, including the largest LEAP agreement to date for over 1,000 LEAP-1A engines with IndiGo. In October, the company signed an agreement with Turkish Airlines for more than 300 LEAP-1B engines, accompanied by a long-term services agreement covering its entire LEAP-1B fleet of over 600 engines.

In the defense sector, GE Aerospace signed a contract worth up to $2.9 billion to provide ongoing support for the F414 engine powering the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 and EA-18G fleets. The company also advanced the GEK800 (F143) engine with Kratos, designated as a second-source propulsion solution for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, and continued progress on the XA102 adaptive-cycle engine for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program.

To expand capacity, GE Aerospace signed an agreement to acquire Consolidated Precision Products (CPP), a move intended to increase mission-critical castings capacity for commercial engines, aftermarket, and defense applications. This acquisition is expected to accelerate the introduction of new engine technologies to current and next-generation platforms. Additionally, the company completed the world's first high-altitude hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet in partnership with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing.

Financially, third-quarter total revenue (GAAP) reached $14.1 billion, up 16%, while adjusted revenue rose 18% to $13.3 billion. GAAP profit was $2.8 billion, up 12%, and operating profit (non-GAAP) increased 30% to $3.0 billion. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose 36% to $2.25. Cash from operating activities declined 14% to $2.2 billion, and free cash flow decreased 14% to $2.0 billion.

For the full year 2026, GE Aerospace now expects adjusted revenue growth of high-teens, approximately 19-20%, compared to a prior guide of around 21%. The company raised its operating profit guidance to $10.9-$11.0 billion from $10.55-$10.75 billion and adjusted EPS guidance to $8.00-$8.10 from $7.65-$7.85. Free cash flow is expected to be between $9.1-$9.4 billion, maintaining a conversion rate above 100%.