British Airways orders 787s, A380s

The wait is over for long-anticipated order from British Airways.

The carrier split an estimated $8 billion order between Boeing and Airbus, ordering 24 Boeing 787s and 12 Airbus A380s.

While the news is good for Boeing’s fast-selling 787 Dreamliner, it isn’t so good for Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet.

British Airways opted for Airbus’s A380 superjumbo jet over Boeing’s newly revamped 747-8. The latest version of Boeing’s classic 747 borrows technology from its popular 787 Dreamliner.

In fact, British Airways’ new order is an effort to update its aging fleet of 747s. Although the cargo version of Boeing’s 747-8 has been popular, the passenger Intercontinental has won the backing of only one major carrier — Lufthansa.