Japan Airlines orders 31 A350s

[Triton]

This news must be a blow to Boeing and the 787:

"Japan Airlines orders 31 A350s"
by Mavis Toh, Singapore

Source:
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/japan-airlines-orders-31-a350s-391398/

Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 Airbus A350s with an option for a further 25 aircraft, marking its first ever Airbus order.

The 31 aircraft includes 18 A350-900s and 13 of the larger -1000 variant.

Airbus says the target is for the A350s to enter JAL's fleet from 2019, and gradually replace the Japanese carrier's ageing fleet over a six-year period.

The A350s will be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only powerplant currently available for the type. This is also Airbus's first sale of the A350 in Japan.

"We will utilise the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased," says JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki.

Flightglobal Pro data shows that JAL has a fleet of 117 Boeing aircraft, including 777s and 787s.

 

[Jemiba]

... as much, as the order of 34 Boeing 777 is said to have been a blow to Airbus !
Some media were already talking of "playing tag amongst the big carriers".

 

[blackkite]

Any way, JAL already operated A300 that came from JAS. I believe JAL will operate both Boeing and Airbus excellent airliners.
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131007p2g00m0bu065000c.html

 

[Sundog]

They stated the main reason for ordering them was due to the huge backlog at Boeing and they needed these aircraft earlier than they could the planes they wanted from Boeing.