Orders Bring Total To Date To 491

Regardless of whether you're a Boeing fan or an Airbus aficinado, you have to respect the number of orders the American planemaker has attracted with its upcoming 787... a plane that is still months away from its first flight. On Thursday, Boeing confirmed two more purchase agreements for the composite-bodied airliner, including the first order to date from a South American airline.

That would be Avianca Airlines, which ordered 10 787-8s with purchase rights for another 10 frames. The order, valued at $1.5 billion at list prices, is also the largest 787 order to date for Latin America.

Avianca made the announcement at an event attended by German Efromovich, President of the Synergy group which owns Avianca; Avianca President Fabio Villegas; and some 400 dignitaries including Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon, United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Milton Drucker, regional country representatives and Avianca and Boeing employees.

"This order reaffirms the enduring relationship Boeing has maintained with this historic airline for 70 years," said John Wojick, vice president, Sales, Latin America and the Caribbean -- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the 787, Avianca will be able to provide its passengers with the very best in long-range air travel including larger windows, higher cabin humidity, more space and a lower cabin altitude."

"Today's purchase ratifies our commitment to transform Avianca into the leading airline in Latin America," Efromovich said. "We will be the first to offer passengers in our market the most advanced technology guaranteeing more comfortable and pleasurable flights."

Avianca is Colombia's largest airline and the second oldest commercial airline in the world.

Boeing also told ANN Thursday aircraft leasing company LCAL added one more 787-9 to its previous order, bringing the total number of Dreamliners ordered by the company to 15, in a mix of -8 and larger -9 variants. LCAL established itself in 2005 as an aircraft leasing company providing lease services exclusively with the 787, and was the the first leasing company to order the aircraft.

LCAL's total order is valued at $1.2 billion list, according to Boeing. The company's website indicates the 787 series is nine orders away from hitting the 500-order mark.

Did we mention it hasn't flown yet?

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.avianca.com, www.lcal.com