Boeing

Bahrain’s flag carrier Gulf Air will buy 16 787-9 Dreamliners from Boeing in a $4.2bn deal, restructuring its earlier deal for six 787-8 Dreamliners.

With the fuselage stretched by six meters over the 787-8, the 787-9 can accommodate up to 20% more passengers and 23% more cargo.

Gulf Air acting CEO Maher Salman Al Musallam said: "This restructured order more effectively meets Gulf Air’s future fleet requirement and our network expansion plans.

"As a result, I now look forward to furthering Gulf Air’s fleet modernisation process, while supporting our network and overall passenger experience enhancement strategies."

United Airlines finalised an agreement to take delivery of 40 new 737-700 aircraft from Boeing in a bid to replace more than half the number of 50-seat aircraft in its fleet by 2019.

"This restructured order more effectively meets Gulf Air’s future fleet requirement and our network expansion plans."

The 737-700 aircraft is powered by two General Electric CFM56-7B24 high bypass ratio turbofan engines, rated at 24,200lb thrust each.

The American airline’s pilots will fly the aircraft with a capacity to accommodate 126 people, reducing dependence on contractors as the US is facing a shortage of regional pilots, Reuters reported.

United Airlines acting chief financial officer Gerry Laderman said: "Our customers have a preference for an improved travel experience, including first class seats, economy plus, and Wi-Fi.

"These aircraft are an efficient way to meet those needs while reducing 50-seat flying."

US airline Southwest Airlines will also procure 33 Boeing 737-800 aircraft under a separate deal announced in December last year.

These deals could mean that Boeing’s rival Bombardier missed orders for its carbon-composite aircraft C series, according to Reuters.

Image: Gulf Air will buy 16 787-9 Dreamliners from Boeing, restructuring its earlier deal for six 787-8 Dreamliners. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.