British Airways to Expand Boeing 777 Fleet

British Airways said on Wednesday it was choosing four Boeing 777 aircraft, with options for four more, ahead of Airbus A330s as it starts expanding its long-haul fleet.

“It was a very close decision between the Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s,” said British Airways Commercial Director Robert Boyle. “However, the ease of assimilating up to eight aircraft into our existing 777 fleet, rather than having a small number of A330s, swung the balance in Boeing’s favor,” he added.

British Airways is starting a major program of fleet renewal and expansion, with 20 of its older 747s and 14 of its 767s due to be replaced.

Mr. Boyle told reporters the next big order would be made in the second half of 2007, at which point the ease of assimilating the planes would be less of an issue.

The four Boeing 777-200ERs are scheduled for delivery in early 2009, and options have been taken out for a further four to be delivered in 2010.

British Airways said it was still negotiating with General Electric and Rolls Royce about which engines will be used for the new Boeing 777 aircraft.