44-Jet Order To Include 10 Dreamliners

If the rumors coming out of this year's International Air Transport Association meeting in Paris are true, Continental Airlines will soon place a big order for 10 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and another 34 Boeing 737s, in separate deals estimated to be worth a combined $3.5 billion at list prices.

Citing industry sources attending the annual IATA membership meeting, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports the deal could be announced at any moment.

Continental is already one of only two US carriers with orders on the books for the 787 -- the other is Northwest -- with both carriers' orders for the -8 variant. The 787-8 offers the smallest passenger capacity of the three Dreamliner variants, at between 210-250 people, but offers nearly the same 8,800-nm range as the larger -9 model.

Boeing refused to confirm the rumored sales, according to the P-I, and representatives with Continental weren't talking, either... which means for the moment, the reports are just that: rumors.

In the face of rising fuel costs, however, it comes as no surprise that airlines are looking to more fuel-efficient airliners. The 787 holds the fuel efficiency crown for midsized airliners -- at least until Airbus announces what it's going to do with the A350 -- despite the fact the first Dreamliner is not expected to take flight until next year.

Boeing currently has 350 firm orders for the twin-engine 787, from 29 airlines or leasing companies. Most 787 buyers have come from Asia, and to a lesser extent Europe.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.continental.com