Boeing, American Airlines Sign Major Order for 47 787 Dreamliners

Boeing and American Airlines announced the airline will more than double its 787 Dreamliner fleet with a new order for 47 of the super-efficient airplane plus 28 options. The 47 787s are valued at more than $12 billion at list prices, and makes American Airlines the largest 787 customer in the Western Hemisphere.

American originally ordered 42 787 Dreamliners and says it has been using the airplanes' tremendous fuel efficiency and superior passenger amenities to open new routes around the world, boosting efficiency. While American still has more airplanes on the way from its initial order, the airline is buying the additional Dreamliners - 22 787-8s and 25 787-9s - to further modernize and expand its fleet.

Boeing says the Dreamliner family lowers operating costs by more than 20 percent compared to previous airplanes, and nearly 10 percent compared to today's competing jets, by using lightweight composite materials and advanced engines.

This order for the 787 Dreamliner has helped the 787 program achieve more than 1,350 orders to date.