Boeing’s 787 makes clean sweep

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Doug Krizner: British Airways has placed its biggest order for aircraft in nearly a decade — 36 of the most modern long-haul jets on the market. Boeing and its European rival, Airbus, both get a piece of this $8.2 billion shopping spree. From London, Stephen Beard reports.

Stephen Beard: Boeing got the better end of the deal. BA has ordered two dozen of its mid-size, long-haul jet, the 787 Dreamliner. And there’s an option for 18 more.

Kierean Daley of Air Transport Intelligence says the order confirms the Dreamliner’s record as the most successful new commercial aircraft ever launched.

Kierean Daley: We’ve almost become used now to the 787 cleaning up so much business around the world. But it’s . . . you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that that really is testimony to Boeing having got it spectaculalrly right with that airplane.

But, Daley says, British Airways has also given Airbus a boost, purchasing 12 of the new superjumbo A380 jets.

The plane has been dogged by delays and cost overruns. He says it would have been a shattering blow if Airbus had failed to clinch this deal.

In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.