British Airways is to gain new long-haul aircraft in a multi-million dollar deal to help restore capacity to pre-pandemic levels.
Parent company International Airlines Group is converting six Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner options held by BA into firm orders and adding a further six 787 options to its long-haul order book.
The aircraft, worth almost $430 million each, are due to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
IAG said it had negotiated “substantial discounts” from the list prices.
One Airbus A350-900 option held by Iberia is also being concerted into a firm order. The list price of the aircraft is $317.4 million.
IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said: “These latest generation aircraft will contribute to restoring capacity to pre-pandemic levels.
“They will be among the most fuel-efficient aircraft in our long-haul fleet and will help towards our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
The group has a range of financing options “and will choose the most appropriate financing source closer to the delivery time”.