Debating A350XWB, Dreamliner

Spain's Iberia Airlines confirmed Monday it is considering breaking its long-time relationship with Airbus, and may instead opt for planes from Boeing when it comes time to upgrade the carrier's long-haul fleet.

Iberia currently flies 30 four-engined Airbus A340s on its longer routes, but is reportedly looking at replacing those planes with slightly smaller, more efficient twinjets.

The airline has a long history with Airbus -- the manufacturer claims by far the largest portion of Iberia's fleet -- so the European planemaker's recently-confirmed A350XWB would seem a perfect fit for the airline.

There's one problem, however -- it will be at least six years before the A350 enters service, several years after Boeing's 787 is due to hit the market. That doesn't mean Iberia would be able to gets 787s any sooner, however... as there is currently a four-year waiting list for the popular Boeing plane.

One possibility Iberia may be considering, is jumping on earlier delivery slots should any current Dreamliner customers opt out of their contracts.

A spokeswoman for Iberia says the airline is studying several options... and it's way to soon to tell which way its decision will ultimately go.

"There is nothing concrete yet decided," the spokeswoman told Forbes.

FMI: http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/home.do