Airbus and Japan Airlines have agreed a deal worth around $9.5 billion for 31 Airbus A350 planes.
The A350 aims to be more fuel-efficient and is a direct competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which has been hit by safety and technical issues in recent months.
The deal is a blow for Boeing, which has dominated Japan’s aviation market, reports the BBC.
"This is Airbus’ largest order for the A350 so far this year and is the largest ever order we have received from a Japanese airline," said Fabrice Bregier, chief executive of Airbus.
"I must say that achieving this breakthrough order and entering a traditional competitor market was one of my personal goals."
According to the deal, JAL also has an option to purchase an additional 25 planes.
Airbus, which says the A350 will use about 25% less fuel than previous generation wide-bodied aircraft, has had 725 orders for the plane prior to securing the JAL deal.
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner continues to remain popular and the firm has received orders for more than 950 Dreamliner jets so far.
Japanese carriers, JAL and All Nippon Airways (ANA), are two of the biggest operators of the Dreamliner jets.
