Air NZ picks Boeing for wide-body jet order: Sources

Air NZ has decided to buy wide-body planes from Boeing, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, ending an 18 month battle between the US aircraft maker and Airbus. The carrier has been considering replacing 8 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft in a deal worth over US$2b at list prices. Air NZ already uses Boeing wide-bodies exclusively on long-haul flights, and Airbus single-aisle jets on shorter routes. The final choices under consideration were the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Air NZ already operates 13 787-9 jets and has 1 more on order. Air NZ's CE Christopher Luxon, last year said the larger Boeing 777X was also under consideration, and that the airline planned to use the new jets to begin longer routes such as Auckland to New York and Brazil. <br/>