Lufthansa and two leasing companies have placed orders at a combined total of roughly $19 billion (not including discounts) for large jets that don’t yet exist in Boeing’s line-up, the 787-10 and the 777-9X. The jets currently exist only as computer designs. Planned production of the 787-10, which will be the largest of the Dreamliner family and capable of carrying about 330 passengers, was announced this summer. The 777-9X is designed to carry 400 passengers and is expected to compete with Airbus’ A350 series planes. Punctuating that point, Lufthansa split its order, requesting 34 777-9X jets from Boeing and 25 of Airbus’ slightly smaller A350s. Airbus, however, has acquired more orders for the year, overall, which has become somewhat of a trend.
Comparing order books for the two companies through August, Boeing stood at 786 orders won compared to 902 earned by Airbus. Last year’s year-through-August numbers left Boeing with 1,203 to Airbus’ 833. The numbers reflected the market’s excitement for Boeing’s 737MAX. Airbus has been consistently strong for the past decade, more often besting Boeing, but not by much. And Airbus does have a 737MAX competitor in the A320neo, which was announced prior to Boeing’s design and has acquired more orders.
