| Britain's largest air carrier - British | | | | British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh |
| Airways - has placed its biggest aircraft | | | | says the two different aircraft from two |
| order in nearly a decade. For VOA, Tom | | | | firms fits his company's future needs |
| Rivers in London says it spells good news for | | | | perfectly. |
| both European and U.S. manufacturers. | | | | |
| | | | "Both of these aircraft work incredibly well |
| Since the terrorist attacks on the United | | | | for us given the network of destination that |
| States on September 11, the international | | | | we serve," Walsh said. "We fly to 142 |
| airline industry has faced tough economic | | | | destinations around the world and that is a |
| times. | | | | mix of routes where on some there is quite |
| | | | high demand and others frequency is |
| But for at least for one carrier, British | | | | important. So, the mix gives us great |
| Airways, better times appear to be ahead. | | | | flexibility not just for the network that |
| | | | exists today, but for our future network |
| Europe's third-largest airline has decided to | | | | plans as well." |
| replace its aging Boeing 747 fleet with two | | | | |
| new planes, the Airbus A-380 super-jumbo and | | | | A dozen A-380s and two-dozen 787s have been |
| the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. | | | | ordered. Delivery of the planes is expected |
| | | | between 2010 and 2014. |
| The huge, 525-seat, A-380 double-decker plane | | | | |
| will increase passenger numbers on flights to | | | | The total price tag, before an undisclosed |
| Hong Kong, Los Angeles and San Francisco from | | | | discount, comes in at $8.2 billion. |
| London Heathrow, where takeoff slots are | | | | |
| limited. | | | | The airline also has options to purchase 25 |
| | | | additional aircraft in the future. |
| The order will boost capacity by four percent | | | | |
| annually. | | | | British Airways says the new planes will be |
| | | | quieter, more environmentally-friendly, and |
| The smaller 787s, which seat about 250 | | | | more fuel-efficient with lower carbon-dioxide |
| people, will operate to New York and | | | | emissions. |
| additional destinations the carrier plans to | | | | |
| serve. | | | | All of the aircraft will be powered by |
| | | | British Rolls-Royce engines. |