Lets see it this way….
1: Boeing is doing pretty good with there short haul programme, they have loads of 737 orders.
2: Maybe they are not doing as good as Airbus in the long-haul/wide body segement but they do have enough orders right now to keep them going.
3: They are too big a company to just perish like that, as some people make it sound. Dont forget they are aviation pioneers they know what to do in crises, they have tasted huge succes and downfall also.
4: Just because Airbus is giving tough competition its not fair to assume that now Boeing cnat do it. Maybe the pruposed B7E7 kicks the a** out of Airbus, but “just”.
5: Airbus is running on profits right now, because the cheap prices they are offering on there products which they hope to get even by sales of the A380, this is there stragtegy and at current rate i see Airbus in loss in the future.
6: Do not forget Boeing is doing well in military sales as well which can help if the civil aviation divisions plums into depression