Boeing Gets $900 Million Dreamliner Order from Continental

Continental Airlinessaid on Monday it ordered five Boeing 787 Dreamliners, worth about $900 million, increasing its orders for the new plane to 25.

AP

The No. 4 U.S. airline is the largest U.S. buyer of Boeing's new carbon and titanium jet, which is set for first flight tests this summer and entry into service for airlines next year.

Continental, which previously ordered 20 787-8s, said it would buy five of the larger 787-9 models and would convert 12 of the original order for 787-8s into 787-9s. That means Continental now has on order 17 787-9s and eight 787-8s.

The 787-8 version is designed to carry 210 to 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles. The larger, more expensive 787-9 can take 250 to 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles.

Both planes are capable of servicing growing routes between the United States, Asia and Europe, such as Tokyo to Chicago, or Los Angeles to Paris, promising significant fuel savings due to its lower weight.

The plane has been a hit with airlines around the world, racking up 464 orders as of last week, after launching in 2004.

Earlier on Monday, Boeing said it had signed an agreement to sell 12 787s to Kuwait's Aviation Lease and Finance, along with six smaller 737-800s, for a total of $2.26 billion at list prices.