British Airways finalizes Boeing 787 order

SEATTLE, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- British Airways Thursday finalized an order for eight Boeing 787-8s Dreamliner aircraft and 16 787-9s and Brazil's GOL Linhas ordered 34 Boeing 737 jetliners.

British Airways' $4.4 billion order raises the total number of 787 Dreamliners ordered worldwide to 790 planes. BA has options for 18 more 787s and purchase rights for an additional 10 of the next-generation, more fuel-efficient jetliners.

"The 787 is a fantastic aircraft and will be a welcome addition to our fleet," said British Airways Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh in a statement. "It will provide major environmental improvements in terms of global emissions, local air quality and noise."

British Airways will use Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 jet engines.

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.'s firm order for 34 Boeing 737-800 NGs completes its purchase option for 121 aircraft negotiated in 2006. The 737-800 will make up half of the low-cost Brazilian carrier's fleet by the end of 2009.

GOL Linhas signed a contract for 40 additional jetliners for delivery in 2012 through 2014, the airline said in a statement.