Airbus announced its first jet order from Japan Airlines on Monday, breaking open the last major aviation market dominated by Boeing after delays and a grounding of its 787 Dreamliner cast a shadow over its reliability as a supplier.
The landmark deal for 31 wide-body A350 jets with a combined USD$9.5 billion list price follows an intense battle between Airbus and Boeing as Japan's two biggest carriers seek dozens of new long-haul jets over the next decade.
The agreement includes options for another 25 A350s, bringing the potential size to 56 aircraft.
"This is a huge win for Airbus and a big loss for Boeing," said aerospace analyst Scott Hamilton, managing director of Leeham.
"Airbus has been trying to break the wide-body monopoly of Boeing for decades and likewise Boeing has been wanting to keep Airbus out of JAL and ANA."
Airbus stated that it will be more fuel-efficient and have operating costs up to 8% lower than the competing Boeing 787 Dreamliner.