IAG firms up 18 787 options for BA; indicates possible Iberia order

International Airlines Group (IAG) plans to convert 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliner options into firm orders for British Airways, which will use the new aircraft to replace some of its 747-400s between 2017 and 2021.


Iberia operates only Airbus aircraft, and has a widebody order backlog of six Airbus A330s.

British Airways already has orders for eight 787-8s and 16 787-9s. Its 18 options were for the 787-8, Flightglobal's Ascend Online database shows, but IAG's statement today does not specify if the 18 options being firmed up are for that variant. The airline's 787s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.