JAL making a large order of a350s

[CarbonMan]

TOKYO — Airbus announced a $9.5 billion order from Japan Airlines on Monday, giving the European aircraft builder its biggest breakthrough to date in Japan, where Boeing has been the main supplier of jetliners for decades.

JAL and Airbus said the Japanese carrier would buy 31 A350 wide-body jets, which are expected to replace Boeing 777 jetliners in the carrier’s long-haul lineup. Deliveries will begin in 2019, and the order also included options for 25 more aircraft.

The A350 order breaks down to 18 of Airbus’s latest 314-seat wide-body, the A350-900, as well as 13 of its larger, 350-seat A350-1000s, a person with knowledge of the deal said.

NY TIMES

This seems like a pretty big deal for Airbus, as JAL has been an all-Boeing customer.

[stargold]

Looks like the 787 problems are coming home to roost... in a big way. Can't blame them!

[Kyo]

What a coup for Airbus. Well done. Very well done.

Also opens up the way for more A380 orders, which pax still love...

[FN-GM]

Looks like the 787 problems are coming home to roost... in a big way. Can't blame them!

Although the 787 and the A350 are not really the same type aircraft.

[stargold]

Although the 787 and the A350 are not really the same type aircraft.

I realise that. My point was that JAL probably feels badly burned by the 787 experience and is no longer willing to be so completely Boeing-dependent.

[scooby5]

Spreads the eggs into different baskets.

[CarbonMan]

Spreads the eggs into different baskets.

While that is the case, costs also goes up.

[flyguy]

Yes it seems most major airlines do order and have some split in aircrafts between Boeing and Airbus which is a good strategy and with enough numbers of aircrafts there should still be some economies of scale in operating both types. On the 787 initial problematic introduction, well we cannot at this point say that the A350 will not have issues or onthe otherhand may fare worse thanthe 787.
On the A380, it also seems that some major airlines are also shying away from big 4 engined planes and instead go for the bigger twins for efficiency and more point to point services.

[9V-JKL]

While that is the case, costs also goes up.

Probably if the size if the fleet is small (like TG which has like every model out there).
I think 31 planes is large enough to work

[cscs1956]

While that is the case, costs also goes up.

Not necessary. The Airline will now have a better bargain power.