Virgin Atlantic to buy 24 787s

Virgin Atlantic Airways has agreed to buy 24 Boeing 787s, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday night on its Web site.

The deal, worth $3.6 billion at list prices, is expected to be announced today, The Journal said, citing unnamed sources. The orders were previously booked on Boeing's Web site with the buyer not identified.

Virgin's Richard Branson and Boeing CEO James McNerney are also expected to unveil a partnership to begin testing biofuel in a Boeing 747 next year.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/b ... efs24.html

So that answers where 24 787 that are UFO right now are going. So how about the other 6?

I can't believe this is happening. How the times have changed.

Wow Virgin is going for a two holer! Man this says volumes for the 787. Airbus should pack it up right now.

Official report is 15 firm, 8 options, and 20 purchase rights.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... N0RBO0.htm

Quote:

---

Boeing Co. and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. plan to partner on developing biofuels to power commercial jet engines, the aircraft manufacturer said Tuesday.

...

A demonstration of the biofuels-based jet is scheduled for 2008 on a Virgin Atlantic-owned Boeing 747-400. Under the deal, the companies will jointly work to develop sustainable fuel sources suitable for commercial jet engines.

---

Only 2008? I wonder how long this has been in the pipeline.

VS and the 787 is amazing news! I think this is going to kick up some other interesting orders - VS is one of those that everyone else seems to watch and then follow.

This is great news... and not just the 787's, but the biofuel for 747's as well.