Delta Air Lines is reportedly close to announcing a large 100-jet order with European plane maker Airbus.
Delta is said to have chosen to buy 100 A321neo planes in a deal worth about $12.7 billion based on list prices, according to CNN.
Delta would use them on domestic and short international routes, and would ultimately replace its older Boeing 757 and Airbus A320 fleets.
Delta’s preference for Airbus is another blow to Boeing which is embroiled in a trade spat with Canada’s Bombardier which places Delta firmly in the middle.
Boeing was irked by Delta’s order for 75 Bombardier CS100 jets which the US plane maker described as unlawful.
That sparked a 300% hike in duties imposed on Bombardier by the US Commerce Department.
Boeing is also reeling from the recent Canadian government decision to scrap a billion-dollar military jet order in protest at the trade dispute.
